In the future, some classes may continue even if the campus closes due to unscheduled closings.

A proposed addition to the Faculty Handbook would allow professors to use available Web technology to hold an “alternate format” class during the regularly scheduled time as long as it is available to the majority of students.

The proposal was drafted after Faculty Senate members expressed frustration about how campus closings are handled at the Feb. 9 meeting. It was discussed at the meeting.but no action was taken.

Kim Milton, physics and astronomy professor, said the policy was long overdue.

“Isn’t it common sense?” Milton said.

Journalism Professor Ken Fischer said he thinks the plan sounds like a mixed bag.

“I think it’s problematic because the nature of some projects, such as speeches and presentations due, but generally it is probably doable,” Fischer said.

Fischer also said the addition could become problematic if technical difficulties get in the way.

“If the power went out where I live, I wouldn’t be able to send or receive things,” Fischer said. “Same with students. It works both ways.”

Faculty Senate Chair Cecilia Brown acknowledged those problems, but said she encourages professors to work with their students.

Another option the addition would grant professors would be to schedule a make-up class at a time convenient for most students.

Advertising junior Emily Haynes said one of her teachers announced Monday her class will have to come ten minutes early for the next two weeks to make up for the snow days when school was cancelled in January.

“I don’t really have an opinion,” Haynes said. “I guess I’m kind of for it because it shows my professor cares and wants us to learn.”

The addition does not say whether make-up days would be mandatory, but Brown said that is not the committee’s intention. Proponents also expressed the desire to have assignments due during campus closings.

“That’s not the spirit of it,” Brown said. “It’s not to penalize the students. It’s more to help the faculty and give them guidelines.”

The faculty senate will vote on the addition at their next meeting, May 11.