• The Academic Senate approved a recommendation to give a one-day extension to faculty to turn in final grades.
• Edward Fallone, associate professor of law, said the extension would be beneficial to faculty and students.
• Athletic Director Steve Cottingham gave a report to the Academic Senate on the success of student athletes in academics at Marquette.</li.

The University Academic Senate approved a proposal to extend the deadline for professors to submit final grades from the Monday to the Tuesday after exams.

The proposal, which needs final approval from Provost John Pauly, would affect whether the university hands out diplomas to students on the day of graduation or mails them out to students afterward. The idea has been on the Senate's agenda for two years.

Edward Fallone, an associate professor in the Law School, said the extension of the grading period would be beneficial to both students and faculty.

"Students would receive the individual attention to their finals that they deserve," Fallone said.

The proposal was presented to the Senate after the Committee on Academic Policies and Issues reviewed it. At a meeting with CAPI representatives, Fallone said the Colleges of Arts & Sciences and Nursing showed support for the change, while the College of Engineering was opposed. The other five colleges abstained from voting.

The College of Engineering had opposed the proposal because the grading extension would not benefit the college and that handing out diplomas was a "nice touch," Fallone said.

The Senate discussed the pros and cons of extending the grading period, with some members inquiring how expensive it would be if the university were to mail diplomas to students.

Fallone said the issue lies in the time crunch that professors of big lecture classes have for grading finals after Friday exams. That wouldn't be an issue for smaller classes, he said.

The extension would also give colleges and the Office of the Registrar more time to review seniors' graduation requirements, Fallone said.

Athletics

Athletic Director Steve Cottingham addressed the Senate on the ability of student athletes to graduate.

Marquette's student athletes are graduating in high numbers compared to national statistics, Cottingham said. Nationally, student athletes in football, men's basketball, baseball and hockey face the most difficulty in graduating, he said. But at Marquette, for example, all four seniors on the men's basketball team will be graduating in May.

Cottingham told the Senate that studies show students who are actively involved in activities outside of academics are more successful academically. That applies to sports, student government, student media and other student groups, he said.

One way student athletes here receive academic support is through summer school, Cottingham said. Most student athletes attend classes prior to their freshman year, he said.

"This helps to get student athletes to get a good start on their GPA," Cottingham said.

He said the Athletic Department appreciates the help it receives from faculty in supporting student athletes to graduate.