Whereas the 16 constituent UNC institutions have varied missions, purposes, and curricula; and

Whereas substantial economic and education benefits accrue to the state from academic calendar flexibility; and

Whereas, under current policy, the need to return in mid-August has decreased the number of options in internships, summer work and summer educational experiences for our students; and

Whereas the summer is the best and only concentrated time for our faculty to revise courses and learn new teaching techniques, including those pertaining to instructional technology, and because summer is also the best time for students and faculty to conduct research; and

Whereas the current 150-day policy cuts into this time and has adverse effects on teaching and research; and

Whereas institutional flexibility will enhance inter-institutional instruction and research;

Be it resolved:

That the UNC Faculty Assembly urges the President of the University of North Carolina to recommend to the Board of Governors that each constituent institution be allowed to set its own academic calendar, a calendar that should not exceed the current 150 days, and that should meet all applicable accreditation standards.

[This motion derived from a motion of the UNCCH Faculty Council.]