Twelve-month university operation task force brainstorms for changes to academic calendar

UNO is looking into changing its operation to a 12-month academic calendar. The change, says Chancellor John Christensen, will allow the campus to fulfill its goal of becoming a metropolitan university.A university-wide task force looking into the possible implementation met for the fourth time Wednesday afternoon in the Milo Bail Student Center. The task force, chartered by Christensen on Oct. 3, will make a report to the chancellor by the end of January 2008.

"I have no preconceived notion as to what the answer may be. Based on what the future may hold, full consideration of twelve month operations is very important," said Christensen on the task force's Web site, www.unomaha.edu/12monthplan/model.php.

Focusing on the effects throughout the campus, from localized departments to faculty contracts, the discussion enabled co-chairs Sheri Noren Everts and Scott Tarry to further focus the goals and intent of an altered calendar.

Everts is the interim vice chancellor for academic and student affairs and Tarry is the director of the Aviation Institute and president of UNO Faculty Senate

"We're identifying the things that need to be examined, collecting the data that needs to be examined," said Tarry. "I think the original plan was the taskforce would do its work with the idea that there was a possibility of pilot programs in the summer."

The task force is made up of 25 students, faculty, staff and administrators ranging from deans to coaching staff.

Several of the positives the task force gathered include better parking and utilization of space, more flexibility for students and faculty as well as better alignment with the job market.

"We have an enormous facilities crunch on this campus in terms of providing the quality we expect," said Deb Smith-Howell, associate vice chancellor for student affairs.

Everts agreed with Smith-Howell that use of campus facilities is a major driving force behind the proposal.

"I don't think there's a discussion on campus that doesn't involve the capacity situation," Everts said.

However, there were also several questions and negative points resulting from such a change, including faculty and staff issues, financial aid and budgetary concerns.

Tom Frette, the senior associate athletic director, said a main concern for his department would be student-athlete eligibility issues.

"If you break it down, that probably bodes pretty well with the NCAA," said Frette. He also said the staff of the department would not be affected much, since "it's basically going 12 months anyways."

Mike Whitney, a resident assistant present at the forum, said the change would make sense for many students living on campus.

"In the dorms, a lot of the students sign a 12-month lease, but just go home during the summer," said Whitney.

With such a large possible change, student input is particularly important, said Director of Institutional Research Linda Mannering.

"We should be open-minded and willing to discuss all of the above, to be willing to discuss, to ask questions, positives, negatives," said Mannering. "We must gather input and suggestions from constituents."

Everts echoed those sentiments, saying, "We need to communicate what we're doing in here."

Tarry agreed, saying, "None of this is intended to be done behind closed doors."

The task force is meeting biweekly, with their next meeting Nov. 28 at noon in the Council Room of the Milo Bail Student Center.