Spring Break
Third graduation ceremony possible
Chancellor, cabinet also discuss student absences, input on faculty hiring
Timothy Langton
Issue date: 5/7/07 Section: Campus News
Adding a third ceremony is one of the possible solutions to the capacity problem at graduation, according to members of the year's last Chancellor's Roundtable discussion held Thursday afternoon.
UW-Eau Claire Chancellor Brian Levin-Stankevich and members of his cabinet addressed complaints of a lack of seating at graduation ceremonies along with other student issues at the discussion. Levin-Stankevich said adding a third ceremony would not be a significant financial burden for the university.
Having graduation ceremonies at an outside venue would be difficult because of Wisconsin's often unpredictable weather, he said.
The members of the panel discussion suggested adding more teleconference rooms in Hibbard or Haas for the graduations in December and May.
Levin-Stankevich and members of his cabinet also covered the issue of making the process of changing majors easier for students. The process is sufficient, they said, but the problem is communicating how the process works to students.
"We can improve by making clearer links on the web," Levin-Stankevich said.
The discussion also covered the proposed idea of allowing students to have a role in hiring faculty. Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Steven Tallant said he supported the idea and would present it to University Senate.
Tallant later spoke on the subject of students asking off from class to go to job interviews. He said while students should not be allowed to miss class for minor job interviews, instructors should make accommodations for job or graduate school interviews.
"Most (of the) faculty is going to be flexible," Tallant said.
Susan Harrison, chair of University Senate and associate professor of the computer science department, echoed Tallant's comments, adding students should talk to their instructors ahead of time when asking for time off from class.
"There needs to be prior permission (for absences)," she said.
The discussion concluded with Tallant announcing that reduced hours in the McIntyre Library over April break will end. This follows an April 18 Student Senate resolution which supported regular hours at the library on Easter Sunday.
"We will use normal weekend hours over break," Tallant said.
On-campus student senator freshman Bobby Hamill said he was pleased with the topics addressed, and said he found the roundtable discussions throughout the year to be constructive.
"The roundtable gives time for the chancellor to hear different issues students have," Hamill said. "He's good about taking the considerations seriously."
UW-Eau Claire Chancellor Brian Levin-Stankevich and members of his cabinet addressed complaints of a lack of seating at graduation ceremonies along with other student issues at the discussion. Levin-Stankevich said adding a third ceremony would not be a significant financial burden for the university.
Having graduation ceremonies at an outside venue would be difficult because of Wisconsin's often unpredictable weather, he said.
The members of the panel discussion suggested adding more teleconference rooms in Hibbard or Haas for the graduations in December and May.
Levin-Stankevich and members of his cabinet also covered the issue of making the process of changing majors easier for students. The process is sufficient, they said, but the problem is communicating how the process works to students.
"We can improve by making clearer links on the web," Levin-Stankevich said.
The discussion also covered the proposed idea of allowing students to have a role in hiring faculty. Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Steven Tallant said he supported the idea and would present it to University Senate.
Tallant later spoke on the subject of students asking off from class to go to job interviews. He said while students should not be allowed to miss class for minor job interviews, instructors should make accommodations for job or graduate school interviews.
"Most (of the) faculty is going to be flexible," Tallant said.
Susan Harrison, chair of University Senate and associate professor of the computer science department, echoed Tallant's comments, adding students should talk to their instructors ahead of time when asking for time off from class.
"There needs to be prior permission (for absences)," she said.
The discussion concluded with Tallant announcing that reduced hours in the McIntyre Library over April break will end. This follows an April 18 Student Senate resolution which supported regular hours at the library on Easter Sunday.
"We will use normal weekend hours over break," Tallant said.
On-campus student senator freshman Bobby Hamill said he was pleased with the topics addressed, and said he found the roundtable discussions throughout the year to be constructive.
"The roundtable gives time for the chancellor to hear different issues students have," Hamill said. "He's good about taking the considerations seriously."
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