Faculty prepares for classes during Olympics
After extensive debate, Utah State University has designated Feb. 19 through 22 as no-class days in order to allow students the opportunity to participate in Olympic-related events. As for those who will be involved with Olympic events past that, they will not be penalized for their absences, according to a memorandum from Stan L. Albrecht, executive vice president and provost.
Students from the journalism and communication, languages and philosophy, and communicative disorders departments may be working during the Olympics.
The majority of journalism students will be involved with broadcasting, said Penny Byrne, journalism and communication assistant department head.
She said the department has been preparing students to participate in the International Sports Broadcasting (ISB) program for more than two years.
“It’s not something we decided yesterday,” she said.
ISB will be hiring 50 to 60 students who will be performing a wide range of broadcast responsibilities, Byrne said.
“Those students who have made these commitments should inform their instructors so they can work out appropriate make-up schedules for exams and other assignments,” according to the memorandum.
Byrne said the journalism and communication department is prepared to assist those students who will be involved with the Olympics.
She said she expects freshman and sophomore classes will be the least affected in the department. However, she said she anticipates making changes to the schedule of a media law class which many seniors take, so the students won’t miss exams or due dates.
“Most of [the faculty] have already made plans to accommodate those students,” she said.
In the languages and philosophy department, Misuko Hirata, an instructor of Japanese, said her students may not be advanced enough to work as translators, but if any of them did she would make exceptions for those who missed school.
“It is an unusual event,” she said.
Professors from the department are also willing to work with any students who may miss school because of Olympic duties.
Chad Burgeson, deaf specialist at the Disability Resource Center, said he hasn’t had any students approach him about working during the Olympics. If this kind of situation occurs, he is willing to cooperate with those who may be asked to do sign language during the Olympics.
“I would be behind the university in that aspect,” he said. “I would make arrangements with the students.”