The Faculty Senate is proposing a policy change that would begin classes at the time listed on the schedule, on the hour and half-hour, and conclude 10 minutes earlier. The Senate argues the current system is inconvenient for faculty members, who are often late for meetings scheduled immediately after the classes they teach.We oppose this resolution. Teaching classes should be the faculty’s No. 1 responsibility. If they miss five or 10 minutes of a meeting because they were doing this primary job, so be it.Many students rely on the 10-minute period as breathing room for planning their schedules. Students who live off-campus benefit from having the leeway to make their commutes, given the variability of traffic they encounter. And students who work require those 10 minutes to get to class; students who work after class have always been able to plan their schedules accordingly.If students can make it to other responsibilities after a class, then surely faculty members can as well.Besides, the Faculty Senate has more important things to deal with: the massive budget cuts facing the University. The Senate should be focusing its efforts on minimizing the impact these cuts will have on students. They should be taking every possible step to prevent cut classes and increased fees.Why attempt to change a system that has functioned well for years? By the Senate’s own admission, changing the start times will require adjustments not only from students and faculty, but also from administrators and support staff. These changes could possibly take place beginning next fall — right when the budget cuts will be causing the most havoc.Creating this upheaval while drastic downsizing fosters confusion seems foolhardy.We strongly oppose this resolution, and call for it to be tabled — at least until less turbulent times merit its reconsideration.–Contact The Editorial Board at [email protected]