The placement of spring break in the University’s academic calendar induced conflict at Tuesday’s Faculty Senate meeting. Previously, spring break typically occurred the week of Good Friday, according to University Registrar Robert Doolos. Last year, the Faculty Senate and Student Government recommended the break always occur at this time. However, if this break remains the same, there would be four years between 2010 and 2020 when only one or two weeks would separate the end of spring break and beginning of final exams. “We usually tried to coordinate with East Baton Rouge Parish [School Board], but often they don’t set their calendars until much later,” Doolos said. Andrew Christie, accounting professor and Faculty Senate Executive Committee member, said he would prefer not to have his classes broken up with only a week or two before the final exam. “In my class, everything is comprehensive,” Christie said. “Chopping it up absolutely destroys the continuity.” Patrick McGee, English professor, said having a schedule that conflicts with the EBR schools creates hardships for faculty members who have children. “Is there any evidence that students are regenerated on spring break?” McGee asked. “If we’re going to entertain what is best for our students, I would at least consider the idea of not having a break and ending school a week earlier.” The senators proposed if the year has fewer than three weeks between the break and finals, an exception will be made, and the break will be moved to the week before the week of Good Friday. The Faculty Senate will consider the resolution at its December meeting, according to Kevin Cope, Faculty Senate president. Also at the meeting, the Admissions, Standards and Honors Committee proposed the writing component of the ACT no longer be required for University admissions. The only portions of the ACT used for admissions are the composite score and math subscore, according to an ASH committee representative. The only department using the writing portion is the Honors College. The senate unanimously passed the resolution recommending the writing component should no longer be required for University admittance. However, the Honors College will still have access to it and will continue to use it for its admissions. —-Contact Sarah Eddington at [email protected]