Dissatisfaction within a Faculty Senate committee over the length of winter breaks has prompted ISU President Gregory Geoffroy to re-evaluate Iowa State’s academic calendar.

The Faculty Senate members passed a resolution this year stating they want to lengthen winter break from three to four weeks.

Geoffroy said this resolution, along with comments made by student leaders who indicated students might have some problems adjusting to the calendar, stimulated discussion.

Sanjeev Agarwal, chairman of the academic affairs council of the Faculty Senate, said the majority of the Faculty Senate committee did not support shortening winter break from four to three weeks a few years ago.

“Right after the end of fall semester, there is a lot of work for faculty to grade,” Agarwal said. “After that, there is the holiday season. When we come back there isn’t much time to prepare for the next semester.”

Agarwal said there are many conferences during the first part of January as well, leaving even less room for preparation.

Laurent Hodges, professor of physics and astronomy, agreed there are problems with the current calendar.

Hodges gave an example of a larger physics class that began this spring and did not get to meet their teacher because the teacher was attending a professional meeting.

Daniel Bullen, associate professor of mechanical engineering, said another problem with the calendar arises with classes involving collaboration between Iowa State and another university.

For example, the University of Iowa has a four-week winter break, Bullen said. When Iowa collaborates with ISU classes, it requires some extra effort to coordinate schedules between the two universities.

However, Bullen said he likes the academic calendar the way it is now.

Hodges suggested if winter break were four weeks long, small one- or two-credit courses could be offered during winter break, so students can catch up on credits if they need to.

The survey, available on AccessPlus, accessplus.iastate. edu, was announced at the Faculty Senate meeting April 8. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to provide input via the survey.

The Faculty Senate will vote on which proposed calendar they endorse during its May 6 meeting. That input and results from the survey will be used to help Geoffroy decide how the calendar will be set up, Agarwal said.

Bullen said the new calendar will most likely be put into place in 2005.

The final decision will be announced next fall, Geoffroy said.

The survey will be available on AccessPlus until 5 p.m. April 25.