Brown Calendar Change

PROVIDENCE, R.I.--Students and professors at Brown University are urging changes in the Brown calendar so that exams fall before Christmas vacation.

Charles King, newly elected president of the Undergraduate Council of Students (UCS), said last week the UCS will research the issue this spring and submit a specific proposal to the faculty next fall.

Peter Heywood, Professor of biology, is also seeking support for a calendar reform proposal. Heywood's plan calls for the first semester to begin at the end of August and end by Thanksgiving. The second semester would run from mid-January to spring vacation.

Heywood, said last week his proposal would save substantially on Brown's fuel costs by cutting heating during early winter. After spring vacation, when there is no longer a danger of freezing, the university could cut off all heat and electricity from some non-essential buildings, he added.

Brown this week announced an 11.9 per cent increase in total fees for next year, in part because of soaring fuel bills. Total costs next year will be at least $8775, the university said.

Unlike a proposal Brown's faculty defeated three years ago. Heywood's would allow professors to finish grading exams and papers and still have time to take a Christmas vacation, he said.