Millersville University, Faculty Senate

Attachment #1
Faculty Senate Minutes
February 3, 2004

From: Scott Schaffer, Senator, Sociology/Anthropology
To: Members of Faculty Senate
Re: Policy Concerning Academic Penalties in Event of Labor Disruption
Date: Feb 3/2004

As we approach the increasing possibility of a disruption of the semester due to contract negotiations between APSCUF and the SSHE, I believe it important that we address at least one element of the campus community's anxieties about this situation - namely, the impact it would have on students.

One way to ensure that a labor disruption would have at least a minimized impact on our students, as well as a way of supporting our students' right and responsibility to express their freely-developed stance on the situation and the governance of the university (consonant with the mission of MU), is to immunize students from any kind of academic penalty relating to their presence or absence in classes held during a labor disruption.

To that end, I propose that Faculty Senate adopt with all due haste the following policy regarding the disruption of the academic term due to labor disputes:

Students are encouraged to express their freely developed ideas and opinions on matters pertaining to their university community. Therefore, students who do not participate in academic activities because a) they are unable to do so owing to a disruption of those activities, or b) they choose not to participate in academic activities owing to a strike or lock-out of any faculty or staff union on campus, are entitled to: 1) immunity from penalty, 2) to reasonable alternative access to materials covered in their absence, 3) to reasonable extensions of deadlines, and 4) to such other remedy as Faculty Senate deems necessary and consistent with the principle of academic integrity.

Such remedies shall not alter the academic standards associated with the missed activity, nor shall it relieve the student of the responsibility for mastering materials covered during normal academic activities. The availability of a remedy under this policy does not guarantee students the same learning experience that they would have received in the absence of such a disruption.

The proposed wording for this policy is derived from the York University Faculty Senate policy on disruptions of academic activities (available from me, or at http://www.yorku.ca/univsec/legislation/senate/dsrptcls.htm). (It might also be fruitful to examine the broader policy regarding all disruptions of academic activities, including due to weather or natural disaster.)

From: Faculty Senate, York University, Canada
(http://www.yorku.ca/univsec/legislation/senate/dsrptcls.htm)

University Policies, Procedures & Regulations Database

Senate Policy


Senate Policy on the Academic Implications of Disruptions or Cessations of University Business Due to Labour Disputes or Other Causes

# : Sen 008


Description: Supercedes the Senate Policy on the Academic Implications of Labour Disputes Resulting in the Disruption or Cessation of University Business; Updates and generalizes the Senate Policy on Strikes of Short Duration


Notes: Approved by Senate Executive Committee; Approved by Senate: 1988/04/28; 1999/06/24 Date Effective: 1999/06/24


Approval Authority: Senate

Signature: "Harriet Lewis"


1. DEFINITIONS

1.1 For the purpose of this policy, a Disruption occurs when academic activities are substantially interrupted or impeded as a result of strikes, lockouts, demonstrations, natural disasters, or other like causes.

1.2 The term "academic activity" includes any work subject to evaluation or necessary for a student to meet the requirements of a course or programme of study.

2. POLICY

The governing principles of this policy are: Academic Integrity, Fairness to Students, and Timely Information.

2.1 Academic Integrity

In the event of a Disruption, the primary obligation of Senate is to ensure the academic integrity of all programmes. No dilution of standards normally expected of students should be permitted and there should be as little diminution as possible in the instructional or supervisory support given to students.

2.2 Fairness to Students

2.3 Timely Information

Students, staff and faculty have a right to be informed in a timely manner of changed requirements, rescheduled academic activities, and procedures to be in effect at the conclusion of the Disruption.

3. PROCEDURES

3.1 Communication and Dissemination of Information

3.1.1 When a Disruption appears imminent:

3.1.2 When a Disruption occurs, the Senate Executive Committee shall declare so and request that:

3.1.3 When a Disruption ends, the Senate Executive Committee shall declare so and shall give notice to students and course directors of the procedures then in effect under this policy.

3.2 Short Disruptions

3.3 Long Disruptions

3.4. Petitions and Appeals

Normal petition and appeal procedures shall apply to deal with academic issues arising from a Disruption which lasts less than seven days. Where a Disruption occurred for seven days or longer, SAC shall monitor petitions and appeals to ensure fairness and reasonable consistency of outcomes.


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