MEMORANDUM

To: Faculty

From: Lloyd Armstrong Jr., Provost

J. Lawford Anderson, Past President, Academic Senate

William G. Thalmann, Past President, Academic Senate

Date: March 2, 1999

Subject: 1998 Faculty Handbook

We are pleased to be able to tell you that the new edition of the Faculty Handbook is now available on-line at https://www.usc.edu/policies/facultyhandbook. We hope that you will browse through it, read it at your leisure and become familiar with its contents. You will be able to print out a hard copy for yourself if you wish.

The Handbook contains the policies that, taken together, represent the shared understanding between faculty and administration of the ways in which faculty do their teaching and research – activities that are the bedrock of the University.

This edition of the Faculty Handbook is the fruit of a long collaborative effort on the part of faculty and administrators. Since the 1988-89 academic year, joint Handbook committees and task forces of the Academic Senate and the Provost’s Office have worked on revisions to the Handbook, the last edition of which was published in 1987. In all, some 75 faculty members, many of whom served multiple years, have taken part, along with representatives of the administration, in the effort of revision. We also had extensive deliberations leading to endorsement by the full Academic Senate and the Provost’s Council. On some parts of the Handbook, reaching agreement between faculty and administration was straightforward; on other parts it took protracted discussion, extending at times to years. In some cases it seemed that agreement never would be reached, but all involved were patient and persistent and their efforts paid off.

The new Faculty Handbook is thus the result of a truly collegial process. At no point did either side insist on overriding the other. Disagreements led, sooner or later, to renewed discussion, a fresh exchange of viewpoints, and resolution on most issues.

Discussions will continue on desirable improvements. The Handbook is on the Web and not set in type. It thus may be altered here and there as conditions change and agreement is sought through the collegial process of consultation and review that has been endorsed and supported by President Sample and the Board of Trustees. The Handbook thus will be an evolving document.

As we scroll through the 1998 Handbook, we should acknowledge with gratitude the work of so many dedicated faculty and administrative colleagues who made the collaborative process succeed.

MEMORANDUM

To: Faculty Colleagues

From: Rabbi Susan Laemmle, Ph.D., Dean of Religious Life

Date: August 1999

Subject: The Observance of Religious Holy Days and Occasions

The Provost and I would like to remind you about the University’s policy that grants students excused absences from class for the observance of religious holy days. We ask you to be responsive to requests that you may receive and make every effort to enable students to make up work missed because of holy day observances. Of course, students are expected to make arrangements with you in advance of the absence.

Below is a list of holy days and occasions during the fall 1999-2000 semester, compiled in consultation with campus religious directors and advisors. It is not exhaustive of all religions or of any one religion; and, in the interest of multi-faith understanding, it does include holy days that are unlikely to impact students’ class participation and/or that occur on Sunday, when no classes take place. While students may request some accommodation based on any occasion listed, it is the fall Jewish holy days that are most likely to present a clear conflict. For a listing of spring 2000 semester holy days, please contact the Office of Religious Life.

Please keep in mind that some holy days and occasions may require additional time for preparation or travel before and/or after the actual observance. In doubtful cases, if you have questions, or if you want to suggest additional listings, please contact me at Ext. 06110 or via e-mail at <laemmle@usc.edu>.

Fall 1999

Gokulasthami (Hindu) Thursday, September 2

Pancharatra Sri Jayanthi (Hindu) Friday, September 3

Rosh Hashanah (Jewish) Sunset Friday to sunset Sunday
The New Year September 10-12

Ganesh Chaturthi (Hindu) Monday, September 13
Birth of Ganesh-remover of obstacles

Yom Kippur (Jewish) Sunset Sunday to sunset Monday
Day of Atonement September 19-20

First Days of Sukkot (Jewish) Sunset Friday to sunset Sunday
Feast of Booths/Tabernacles September 24-26

LDS General Conference (Mormon) Saturday to Sunday, October 1-2
Takes place in Salt Lake City Possible travel on Friday & Monday

Shemini Atzaret & Simchat Torah (Jewish) Sunset Friday to sunset Sunday
Concluding Festival October 1 – 3

Birth of the Bab (Baha’i) Sunset Tuesday to Wednesday
Forerunner to prophet founder Baha’u’llah October 19-20

Dussehra-Vijaya Dashmi (Hindu) Tuesday, October 19
Celebration of good over evil

All Saints Day Monday, November 1
(Roman Catholic & Protestant)

Guru Nanak Jayanti (Sikh) Thursday, November 4
Birthday of Sikh founder

Diwali (Hindu, Sikh & Jain) Sunday, November 7

Cluster of lights festival

Birth of Baha’u’llah (Baha’i) Sunset Thursday to Friday
Prophet founder of Baha’i Faith November 11-12

Native American Heritage Month Throughout November

First Sunday of Advent (Christian) Sunday, November 28
Preparation for Christmas

Hanukkah (Jewish) Sunset Friday to sunset Saturday
Festival of lights & rededication December 3-11

Feast of the Immaculate Conception Wednesday, December 8
(Roman Catholic)

Bodhi Day (Buddhist) Wednesday, December 8
Anniversary of Buddha’s enlightenment

Ramadan (Muslim) Thursday to Monday
Holy month of fasting & prayer December 9 – January 8, 2000

Festival of Our Lady of Guadalupe Sunday, December 12
(Roman Catholic) Mexico’s patron saint)

Christmas (Christian) Saturday, December 25

Kwanzaa (African American) Sunday to Saturday
First fruits of celebration December 26 – January 1, 2000

Layla-tul-qadr (Muslim) Tuesday, January 4, 2000
Commencement of Qua’anic Revelation

Holy Theophany (Armenian Christmas) Thursday, January 6, 2000

Eastern Orthodox Christmas Friday, January 7, 2000

Id-al-Fitre (Muslim) Saturday, January 8, 2000

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