How to Survive A Quarter to Semester Conversion Dr. Belle S. Wheelan, President SACS Commission on Colleges May 11, 2010
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How to Survive A Quarter to Semester Conversion
Dr. Belle S. Wheelan, President
SACS Commission on Colleges
May 11, 2010
Definitions
Academic Term—the time when classes are held, i.e., fall, spring, summerSemester—an academic year with two terms of 15 weeks (30 weeks total) [81%]Quarter—an academic year with THREE 10 week terms (30 weeks total)Trimester—an academic year with three 10-11 week terms (30-33 weeks)Open Entry/Exit—most typical in on-line programs
Key to Successful Transition
“…Working with faculty, students and staff to ensure an appropriate perspective and frame of reference as they undertake the change.”
» Fred Gainous, Former Chancellor
» Alabama System
Why Semesters?
Most common practice in the world (Common Calendar)
Semester Systems
Australia
Belgium
Brazil
China
Denmark
Germany
Hong Kong
India
Ireland
Israel
Mexico
Poland
Portugal
Russia
United Kingdom (varies)
Why Semesters?
Ensures same amount of academic credit for classes across institutions
Credit Values
Hours—3 quarter hrs = 2 semester hrs
Credits—quarter hours are usually 4 or 5 credits and semester hours are 3 credits
Full time student must take five courses per semester OR 3 or 4 courses per quarter
Students must take more classes to learn same amount of information under quarter systems
Why Semesters?
Facilitates Transfer Among Different Institutions Across the World
American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers
Transfer Credit Practices—is published to facilitate student mobility among institutions and to reduce the problems of students who attend more than one institution in the pursuit of an associate, baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate degree.
» AACRAO Transfer Practices
Why Semesters?
Several Advantages
Advantages of Semesters
OverallMore time on task for students to absorb and comprehend material, complete papers and projectsEasier to transfer creditsEarlier graduation date puts students in the job market earlierMore time teaching than registering studentsMore flexibility in scheduling classesReduced costs of buying textbooks, printing class schedules, etc.Opportunity to Revamp the Curriculum
Advantages Continued
Instructional Scheduling (fewer courses needed)
Fewer Course sections needed
More classrooms available in the afternoon
Allows part-timers to enroll in more than one class per term
Student retention should increase
Getting Down to the Nuts and Bolts
Issues and Policies to Consider
Teaching FacultyLoad—Courses and hours to be taught (regular terms and overloads) Consulting/Research EffortsOffice hours, Committee Meetings, etc.Compensation (Fall & Spring vs Summer)VacationsMORALE
Sample Faculty Load Translation
Quarters50 days of class+5 days of exams+1 day pre-class56 days/quarter÷3 months/quarter18 2/3 days/month
– The Ohio State University
Semesters70 days of class+5 days of exams+1 reading day76 days/semesterx2 semesters152 days+19 days May term171 days÷ 9 months19 days/month
Sample Faculty Load
FL SP SU
Total Duty Days 175 54
Instructional Weeks 15 10 10
Exam Days 5 5 3
Total Days/Weeks 80/16 80/16 53
Registration Days 2 2 1
Prof. Devel. (state) 2 3
Prof. Devel. (local) 6 – Alabama College System
Issues and Policies Continued
Academic CalendarLength of terms
Dates for Final Exams, Withdrawal, etc.
Graduation Dates
Admission and Registration Dates
Computation of Grade Point Averages
Revision of Number of hours in degree and certificate programs
Issues and Policies Continued
Student ServicesAdvisors to meet with students to explain & reconfigure their academic programSet positive tone with students to ease transitionIdentification of a Coordinator to:
Handle ComplaintsMake Decisions About Course Substitutions
Opportunity to Make Changes in Advising ProcessHow to Handle Repetition of Courses Taken Under Quarter System, “I” grades, Student Classifications, Conversion of GPA’s, etc.Calculation of Honor Lists, Warning & Probationary Status, etc.
Issues and Policies Continued
Student ConcernsNo Loss of Credit
No Extended Time to Graduation
No Overall Increased Costs (up front costs may be more because of only paying twice a year rather than 3 times)
Issues and Policies Continued
FiscalEnsure no net increases in tuition/feesPlan for change in revenue the first year or two due to enrollment changes (+ or -)Need for an Emergency Loan Fund or Tuition Payment PlanPotential Changes in Payroll DatesChanges in Tuition Rates & fees, Dates for payments, Refunds, Pell Grant Distributions, etc. Potential Costs to implement Conversion
Issues and Policies Continued
Information ServicesChanges in software programs and databases
New Transcripts with Explanations of Changes
Conversion of GPA’s
New Bills
Change in Term for Financial Aid purposes
Issues and Policies Continued
Potential New Processes/PracticesInformation Packet for Students Explaining Conversion
Common Course Directory—standardized numbers, definitions, prefixes, and credit
Course Program Completion Form (Academic Audit)
New Procedures for Adding Courses
New Assessment Processes for Faculty, courses & programs, and process
Questions and Feedback
Contact Information
SACS Commission on CollegesDr. Belle S. Wheelan, President
www.sacscoc.org
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