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Chancellor Fingerhut addresses college transition from quarters to semesters
The University System of Ohio’s “Strategic Plan for Higher Education” calls for public colleges and universities that are still on the quarter system to consider transitioning to a semester academic calendar.
Having a common academic calendar would allow students greater ease in transferring to institutions that match their academic pursuits and personal circumstances, according to the plan.
Eric D. Fingerhut, chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents, addressed the transition to a single academic calendar on Friday, Oct. 31, during a question-and-answer session at an Academic Leaders Conference at Sinclair Community College.
“We know that we have to be as flexible for students as we possibly can, and so being on a common academic calendar across the state is in the best interest of our state and the best interest of our students,” Fingerhut said to leaders from 30 Ohio colleges and universities.
“Now I do understand that this is a difficult and expensive process, and time-consuming. I know this going to take some time. That’s why this is a 10-year plan,” he said. “I don’t expect it to happen overnight.”
Fingerhut said that he expects community colleges to follow the lead of four-year institutions in their area in transitioning to a semester calendar.
“The four universities in Ohio that are still on the quarter system, they’re small schools like Ohio State, the University of Cincinnati, Ohio University and Wright State,” Fingerhut said, drawing laughter from the audience.
Fingerhut described the transition to a single academic calendar as “collaborative” with the schools.
“In terms of the implementation timetable, that’s something that’s still up in the air and will be decided by each school separately,” he said.
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By Dave
November 6, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this
I greatly prefer semesters to quarters, but I wonder — have there been any studies to show that either is more effective or cheaper or whatever than the other system?