From: jp7p@andrew.cmu.edu on behalf of Mark Kamlet
[kamlet@andrew.cmu.edu]
Sent: Friday, January 07, 2011 7:48 AM
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: University Free-time for Students

Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President

TO:	Deans, Academic Department Heads and Faculty

FROM: 	Mark S. Kamlet, Executive Vice President and Provost

DATE:	7 January 2010

SUBJECT: University Free-time for Students
	


As you probably know, for many years no undergraduate classes have been scheduled between the hours of 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. each weekday.  This time traditionally has been set aside for students to engage in extracurricular activities, such as clubs, non-credit seminars or workshops, and athletics.

One way we have been addressing the increased demand for recreational activities is to improve our athletic and recreational facilities.  Another way in which everyone can help is to respect this free time for students.  I ask that you make every effort to avoid asking students to make time commitments between 4:30-6:30 p.m.

With the constraints under which we all have to work, I realize that sometimes faculty members have no choice but to schedule special meetings, such as help sessions or meetings with advisees, in this free time.  In such instances, please try to arrange for similar meetings to be available outside the 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. period to accommodate the students who have conflicts.  Furthermore, in order to hold regular class meetings in the free time period, requests for exception must be made to Michael Murphy, Vice President for Campus Affairs, for explicit approval to do so.  Basis for such an exception may include adjunct faculty availability, facilities restrictions, and/or student alternatives to choose a parallel opportunity at an alternative time.

The idea behind a university free time is to ensure that our students have the full opportunity to develop in multiple dimensions, and, equally important, to allow our entire campus community to interact in a variety of intellectual, cultural, social, and recreational activities.  At the same time, it is not meant to be so inflexible as to impede faculty from doing what will serve the best interest of our students.  Together, I am sure we can work to realize the intent and spirit of this policy.  Thank you for your cooperation.