The Faculty Senate Wednesday expressed concern that some continuing education classes are not being reviewed by the Council on Academic Affairs.

Senate Chair Bud Fischer said it was his understanding that “they (CAA members) see any classes taught by continuing education that are also taught on campus.”

That policy leaves a loophole that prevents workshops, some of which count for credit toward graduation, from being reviewed by the CAA.

“I object to that,” senate member Anne Zahlan, said. “I mean, I really think that’s terrible.”

Fischer, a biological sciences professor, proposed asking the CAA to address the issue.

Fischer also informed the senate that a search committee to select Eastern’s next president was taking shape.

The senate focused on group discussion topics.

Fischer outlined three issues under the recruitment and retention topic that he would like to focus on. The issues are money spent on recruitment and retention of minorities, improving student life and the faculty’s role in recruitment and retention.

The second discussion topic was fostering an academic environment on campus.

Senate member Reed Benedict, a sociology/anthropology professor, suggested setting up a day, one Wednesday a year, where there would be no classes held and students would be encouraged to attend lectures on various educational and professional topics.

Benedict said that some students may simply not have time to attend such functions, which is why he suggested a day off.

Zahlan, an English professor, suggested integrating the lectures into class structures.

The discussion topic was faculty development. Fischer said the issue can be broken down into two areas.

The first area he mentioned was structure. Fischer said it would have to be determined what a faculty development staff would look like, who it would report to and how the staff would be funded.

The second area Fischer mentioned would deal with the programs offered.