The Bowdoin Orient

April 6, 2001
Volume CXXXII, Number 20

Faculty senate ponders critical votes

by NETTIE-KATE JORDAN, STAFF WRITER

   The system of awarding honors to graduating seniors and a new proposal concerning the length of Thanksgiving break generated much discussion at a recent Bowdoin faculty meeting.
   A measure that would consolidate honors under a single level for all departments was voted against by a narrow margin.
   As it stands, not all of Bowdoin's academic departments practice the same format for awarding honors to students. Some departments have one level of honors while others can have up to three ranks of honors.
   In addition, the Recording Committee proposed that the Wednesday before Thanksgiving be included in the vacation, although a vote was not taken on the issue.
   Professor Ray Miller, chair of the Recording Committee, announced the plan to move Thanksgiving break one day earlier so as to accommodate students traveling. Numerous members of the faculty were concerned with students leaving ahead of time after adding the extra day, so the committee suggested creating scheduling alternatives to cover the loss of class time.
   Professor Miller stated, "It will also be emphasized in college literature that people, as a rule, will not be able to leave before the end of the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, and the make-up class will be considered a regular part of the semester, not an extra day added to the syllabus." If the new Thanksgiving break is adopted, it will begin in Fall 2001.
   The next faculty meeting will be held Monday.