In a report encapsulating its work, Ohio University's quarters-to-semesters transition team endorsed two 17-week semesters for the 2012 academic year, but could not reach an agreement on the length of a winter break.
The report, released last Friday, summed up recommendations and deliberations from the team as far back as October. It is expected to reach college deans sometime this week, and, if approved, will pass to Executive Vice President and Provost Kathy Krendl and President Roderick McDavis for final approval.
The submitted academic calendar includes two semesters, each with 15 weeks for instruction, one week for finals and another for breaks.
The team recommended two six-week summer sessions for students while deciding to scrap a three-week to four-week term immediately after Spring Quarter that had been considered.
We really quickly settled on that 'Maymester' idea. Almost too quickly
because it seemed sexy or something team co-chairman David Descutner said.
The team could not decide on the length of winter intersession, instead leaving the recommendation to the college deans, who will forward their choice to the provost for approval, Descutner said.
Faculty and staff have supported a shorter intersession that would allow for more time in the summer for research, while student body presidents say a longer intersession helps undergraduates hold seasonal jobs and allows more time for graduate research.
This was not as straightforward as it seemed. This is a classic comparative-advantage case - it's going to be some disadvantage for somebody Descutner said.
Descutner said he doesn't necessarily foresee the $2.324 million budget increasing because advising and coordinator costs are fairly established.
Less than six months after its approval last fall, the transition's budget increased $324,000 from the original $2 million. The price tag does not include the cost of converting regional campuses.
The 112 transition coordinators charged with converting the curriculum in their respective areas were given an extended timeline to examine course offerings. Once they have courses to review, they will submit them digitally.
The digitized method is set to expedite the course review process and may be ready as early as this summer, Descutner said.
And the first group of faculty using it will be the college of engineering and they will be very exacting. If we have the engineers beta test it
that's pretty good
added Ann Fidler, interim associate provost for strategic initiatives.
- Emily Grannis contributed to this report
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Adam Liebendorfer
