Oberlin’s General Faculty met on Wednesday to approve an academic calendar for 2007 through 2017. The new calendar, developed by Registrar Elizabeth Clerkin, follows the same pattern used for the past several years.

“Traditionally we’ve had a calendar committee,” said Clerkin, but this year “it seemed like there weren’t very many big issues.”

Some questioned the conservative approach of the calendar and suggested changes.

Professor of Politics Harlan Wilson wondered whether fall break and Thanksgiving break should be handled differently, since many students travel home early for Thanksgiving. “It really becomes a second fall break,” he said.

Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies John Petersen was also concerned that most students travel home twice during the fall. “There are substantial environmental impacts to that much travel,” he added.

Student Senator and junior Colin Jones voiced concern about the three-day reading periods in the calendar, almost all of which include weekend days. “We don’t feel comfortable having a weekend reading period for the next ten years,” he said. “It’s just been not enough.”

“I’ve not heard a lot about extending [reading periods] except from the Student Senate,” replied Clerkin, who also said that it will be possible to amend the calendar in the future.

The vast majority of faculty, administrators and student senators at the meeting voted to approve the calendar. The General Faculty also approved a minor amendment to the duties of the Community Board in the college judicial process, as well as the charters of nine new student organizations.