With the hope of reducing class sizes and providing students with the opportunity to complete their degrees faster, UB Provost Elizabeth Capaldi is proposing an increase in the number of courses offered during summer sessions.
The current summer program offers a limited selection of classes and sections, leaving most students to take general education courses during the fall and spring semesters, which are often quickly filled.
Capaldi's proposal would offer more sections of lower-level classes during the summer and free up space in classes during the academic year that are often filled to capacity.
The provost also hopes to offer a "head start" program for incoming students, more summer study options for graduate students and more positions for teaching assistants and graduate students.
"I think it's a good idea for students who need the credits, but I would never take summer classes unless I had to," said Laura Hemlock, a freshman theater major. "Besides, I didn't have trouble getting the classes I needed."
Under her proposal, incoming students would be given the option to attend a new student orientation in June and then enroll in classes during the third summer session, which generally begins around July 1.
Adira Hight, a freshman computer science and engineering major, said she would have taken advantage of the opportunity to get a head start and that she was unable to register for classes before the fall semester.
"I tried to do it, and they wouldn't let me," said Hight.
According to Capaldi, incoming students enrolled in summer classes would have the chance to get acclimated to the university while the weather is warm and before the campus becomes crowded.
In addition, these students would have the ability to complete several of their general education requirements and begin completing courses for their majors earlier.
Because professors are often unavailable to teach over the summer, TAs and graduate students would handle the majority of teaching. Capaldi said she does not think this will be a problem, because "graduate students are qualified to teach these lower division courses."
Capaldi said she hopes the university will also offer more graduate level classes during the summer, which she said would benefit full-time elementary and secondary-level teachers who are fulfilling their state-mandated master's degree. Capaldi's proposal is to offer an option for teachers to complete their advanced degrees during summer, when schools are not in session.
The proposal is still pending approval, but Capaldi is confident that a plan of action will be in place within the next month.
"There are no definite plans yet," Capaldi said. "We're still talking with the deans."
If an agreement is reached, the increase in the number of summer classes will be implemented by the summer of 2003.
