Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs & Provost
2008 Minnesota Caucus Night
TO: Twin Cities Deans, Department Chairs and Heads
FROM: E. Thomas Sullivan, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
DATE: January 30, 2008
RE: Classes on Caucus Night, February 5, 2008
State law, Section 202A.19, Subdivision 3, gives the Board of Regents the authority to allow classes and other events to be held on caucus night. On the Twin Cities campus, two-thirds of students taking classes on Tuesday night are in classes that meet only once a week so canceling classes for one evening is equivalent to canceling class for a full week.
At its December 2005 meeting, the Board of Regents approved a resolution authorizing the University to schedule classes on caucus night subject to a policy of individual accommodation for students who wish to attend their party caucus. Classes scheduled to meet on caucus night are scheduled with the clear expectation that instructors will make reasonable accommodations for students who will be attending their party caucus.
If a faculty or staff member scheduled to teach on Tuesday night wants to attend their party caucus or if enough of their students indicate that they will be attending caucus so that holding class becomes impractical, instructors may either cancel class or make reasonable alternative arrangements.
The Board also asked that we monitor the implementation of this policy and be prepared to report back. In late January we will be communicating with students so that they understand classes will be held; however, they can expect appropriate accommodations if they choose to attend their party caucus.
Please share this information with affected faculty, staff, and students.