Winter intersession, a pilot program of intensive classes during Winter Break, netted a $32,432 profit for the University, increasing hopes that the courses will be offered again next year.

"It was from my point of view a success," Mark Emmert, chancellor and provost for University affairs, told the University Senate on Monday. A total of 185 students -- 155 in 10 classes in Storrs and 30 in three classes in Stamford -- participated in the program. Five faculty, one adjunct and seven teaching assistants taught the courses.

The Division of Extended and Continuing Education, which administered the classes, intentionally did not market the courses beyond current UConn students. "Had it been marketed, it would have been even more successful," Emmert said.

On another matter, Emmert told the Senate that the task of developing a faculty dining room on campus has been assigned to a committee that will meet shortly. The committee, headed by Lori Aronson, special assistant to the chancellor, will look at proposals for a short-term lounge/dining facility on campus and permanent prospects. A permanent location could be included in a hotel and conference center on or next to campus or at Windham Mills in Willimantic.

Fund-raising concerns

In light of a Hartford Courant article about the UConn Foundation, some senators voiced concern during the meeting about fund-raising practices.

One member worried that donations from firms providing goods and services to the University can pose ethical problems.

Emmert said that's fine -- as long as donations are kept separate from business transactions. "You have to be careful to differentiate between philanthropic and business affairs," he told the Senate. "You've got to make sure it's not a quid pro quo."

The newspaper article, which outlined travel costs for basketball teams and University officials to tournaments, raised the wrath of Sam Pickering, a professor of English who serves on the Senate.

"Ethics in fund-raising ... don't matter at this University right now," he said.