The Faculty Senate Tuesday got a first look at Eastern’s new Web grade submission program, which instructors will have to use unless they request to use the old system.

Sue Harvey, director of Academic Records and Registration, told the senate that while faculty can still submit their grades in writing, they will have to request paper rosters if they wish to do so.

Senate members Tuesday were able to view the new program, which can be accessed through a Web browser by using individual faculty PIN numbers.

“This is to practice and have a trial run of the electronic grade submission process,” Harvey said. “You’re (senate members) going to be an integral part in getting the word out on campus.”

Harvey presented the new program to senate members along with Gail Blank, data processing analyst. The program lists students 10 at a time and includes fields to enter grades and last day attended. The field for last day attended is for students who drop courses, she said.

The senate also received an update Wednesday on the progress of the Presidential Search Advisory Committee. Senate Chair Bud Fischer, who also is on the search committee, told the senate that the committee plans to interview potential search firms on Nov. 5. The committee would review about five firms and make a decision that day, Fischer said. Those interviews are set to take place in Chicago at a hotel near O’Hare Airport.

The senate discussed the first draft of the commitee’s position description, paying special attention to the education requirement. Some senate members lobbied to make a doctorate or terminal degree a requirement, but the senate eventually decided that the “doctorate preferred,” suggestion, which was used in the last two presidential searches, was adequate.

The senate reached a consensus that the university’s next president should be someone who can engage people not only in Springfield but also on campus.

“I think we’ve been at the two ends of the spectrum. We want something in between,” Fischer said, referring to Eastern’s two previous full-time presidents.

Fischer also asked the senate what issues he and Vice Chair Reed Benedict should discuss during State Sen. Rauschenberger’s campus visit Wednesday.

Senate member told Fischer that he and Reed should discuss Eastern’s presidential change and how it affects the university’s standing with the legislature. They also suggested he ask the senator about what good qualities previous presidents have had and what qualities the university should look for in its next president.

Provost Blair Lord also spoke to the senate about the possibility of implementing a guaranteed four-year graduation program at Eastern. Lord said the program wouldn’t work for some technical and education degrees, but it could work for other programs. However, he said the program would only appeal to a small percentage of students because many students don’t know their major when they arrive at college.