For the fall 2006 semester, University administrators are considering changes in the academic calendar that would end classes on a Wednesday and start final exams the next day — leaving no weekend break to prepare for exams.
Under the proposed change, the school year would not start until after Labor Day on Sept. 5. Students also would not get the two-day fall holiday, typically scheduled in October.
University Registrar Robert Doolos said he proposed a calendar nearly identical to the current one with the semester starting the third week of August, including a fall holiday and giving students a weekend before exams begin. He said he is not sure why Academic Affairs administrators proposed the new calendar.
Doolos said he recently sent the two proposed calendars to the deans and directors of all colleges and programs and several other offices on campus to get feedback about the proposed calendars.
He said he has received several comments but refused to explain the opinions he has received so far.
When administrators decide on which calendar to use, the provost will send it to the chancellor, who then takes it to the Board of Supervisors for final approval.
Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Risa Palm, who proposed the calendar change, said in an e-mail that her office is trying to organize the calendar so students do not have to start school until after Labor Day.
“This would give them more opportunities to work the full month of August or do some summer research or classes for a longer period of time,” Palm said.
But the new proposed calendar doesn’t say anything about extending the number of classes in the two summer sessions.
Some students said they were dissatisfied with the new calendar changes.
Stephen Kernion, a theater senior, said he likes the current calendar and usually needs the weekend to plan and study for the following week of exams.
“You could end up having three exams the day after classes,” Kernion said.
Saying that no one likes change, nursing sophomore Caitlin Burger voiced similar concerns about having several tests right after classes end.
“Say you have two finals on Thursday?” she said. “I love that weekend. Who doesn’t?”
Rachel Fordham, a psychology junior, said that although she could work longer in the summer if school didn’t begin until after Labor Day, she said it isn’t worth it.
“It’s really not worth it to start school later if we don’t have extra time to study [before finals],” Fordham said.
But not all students agreed.
Hasan Harrel, a recent psychology graduate, said he usually kept up with all his work so it wouldn’t have made a difference to him.
Lauren Hartdegen, a business sophomore, said she doesn’t care which calendar is chosen and would enjoy the longer summer break.