College gets creative with academic calendar
Katie Rose McEneely
Issue date: 2/4/10 Section: News
The administration is juggling dates in an attempt to create a calendar that keeps students and professors happy.
The newly-released academic calendar for the 2010-2011 school year has classes starting on Sept. 1; like the past year, classes are in session on Labor Day. The final exam schedule for the fall semester continues to confound students, but the retention of fall break and the reinstatement of a four-week Christmas break are widely considered good news.
"The calendar we're currently under is a good example of some hiccups: A shorter winter break, exams closer to the holidays," Registrar Doug McArthur said. "The calendar for 2010-2011 was in some measure an attempt to rectify those concerns."
This is the third iteration of the 2010 calendar, Provost Bob Blackstock said.
Blackstock said the decision to start the school year in September had a number of factors.
"There are a lot of considerations. Pedagogically, it's hard to start classes and interrupt with a three-day weekend right away," he said.
Other reasons for the late start aren't as academic.
"Moving later in the calendar allows us to miss the Michigan International Speedway race weekend," he said. In the past, the race has prevented students traveling with their families from finding accommodations in or near Hillsdale.
Blackstock said there was some discussion about keeping fall break on the schedule for 2010-2011.
At that point in the semester, both faculty and students need a breather, he said.
Because the college operates on a 15-week semester, there is little "wiggle room," especially at the start of the school year, Blackstock said. After scheduling holidays, Parents Weekend, sports and fine arts events, there isn't much room for negotiation.
But one major change is the return of the four-week Christmas break. Blackstock said the survey put out by Student Federation last semester helped cement this decision, though faculty and staff also agreed that the college needed a longer break.
The newly-released academic calendar for the 2010-2011 school year has classes starting on Sept. 1; like the past year, classes are in session on Labor Day. The final exam schedule for the fall semester continues to confound students, but the retention of fall break and the reinstatement of a four-week Christmas break are widely considered good news.
"The calendar we're currently under is a good example of some hiccups: A shorter winter break, exams closer to the holidays," Registrar Doug McArthur said. "The calendar for 2010-2011 was in some measure an attempt to rectify those concerns."
This is the third iteration of the 2010 calendar, Provost Bob Blackstock said.
Blackstock said the decision to start the school year in September had a number of factors.
"There are a lot of considerations. Pedagogically, it's hard to start classes and interrupt with a three-day weekend right away," he said.
Other reasons for the late start aren't as academic.
"Moving later in the calendar allows us to miss the Michigan International Speedway race weekend," he said. In the past, the race has prevented students traveling with their families from finding accommodations in or near Hillsdale.
Blackstock said there was some discussion about keeping fall break on the schedule for 2010-2011.
At that point in the semester, both faculty and students need a breather, he said.
Because the college operates on a 15-week semester, there is little "wiggle room," especially at the start of the school year, Blackstock said. After scheduling holidays, Parents Weekend, sports and fine arts events, there isn't much room for negotiation.
But one major change is the return of the four-week Christmas break. Blackstock said the survey put out by Student Federation last semester helped cement this decision, though faculty and staff also agreed that the college needed a longer break.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Joy Pavelski
posted 2/04/10 @ 6:18 PM EST
Good, good, story. Everything was clear and in the right place. Plus I'm happy the 4-week holiday is back--heard SO many complaints about this year's schedule. (Continued…)
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