DeKALB | The NIU Faculty Senate continued its discussion on NIU Connect from the previous meeting, as well as a new discussion on personal response systems.

Early in the meeting, the faculty senate discussed the adoption of a Personal Response System for class use at NIU. A Personal Response System is a calculator sized, interactive device used to poll and record student responses for classroom activity.

Paul Stoddard, president of the faculty senate, said ITS wants to support one type of Personal Response System because it would be easier for the university.

According to literature provided at the meeting, two of the Personal Response Systems the Academic Affairs Committee is gathering information on for consideration are called, “i-clicker,” and, “Qwisdom.”

“We are still looking for more student and faculty input,” said Daniel Kempton, chair for Academic Affairs.

The faculty senate discussed an issue concerning an incompatibility with NIU Connect and the current academic repeat policy at the Nov. 1 meeting. At both Wednesday’s and the previous meetings, many members of the faculty senate expressed their discontent that the PeopleSoft software for NIU Connect threatens change for existing policies.

Since the previous meeting, the individual colleges represented by the senate met and discussed their preferences toward how to handle the policy. The different colleges currently disagree over whether to change the system.

Also, an additional issue with NIU Connect affects the existing drop and add dates for undergraduate classes. Kempton said the drop and add dates could be changed to a uniform two weeks for graduate and undergraduate students.

“It goes better for undergraduates with the deadlines for their funding and financial aid offers,” Kempton said. “The downside to it is that you may have a person come into class at the end of the second week of class.”

Matt Rainwater contributed to this article.