Southwestern College’s budget may not be the only thing on campus that is shrinking. Students may soon enjoy shorter semesters, too.
SWC’s Academic Senate voted 28-1 to support the compressed calendar system, which would mean shorter semesters from 18 weeks to 16 without cutting any time from classes.
Dr. Mink Stavenga, dean of instructional support services, said nearly half of the state’s 112 community colleges are still on the 18-week calendar and there is much debate about whether or not the compressed calendar would be beneficial for all students. Stavenga said aside from having a shorter semester, almost all classes could meet twice a week, as opposed to three, and class sessions would increase from 50 minutes to 80 minutes.
“More learning takes place in 80 minute blocks rather than 50 minutes,” he said.
Stavenga said it would also be beneficial for students who have difficulty with the English language.
Another added benefit would be more flexibility for working students. They would be able to have the same amount of class time and potentially be available for more hours at work.
Despite the benefits mentioned for the compressed calendar, Academic Senate President Randy Beach said contention remains, particularly from science professors with concerns about laboratory times.
“If you are going to make each of those class times a little longer, then that is eventually going to take away opportunities to have classes,” said Beach. “The classes would have to be there longer, so instead of scheduling eight labs a day, you could only schedule six.”
Beach said not all SWC faculty agree that students would succeed better if they were taking the same amount of information and activity in a shorter week.
During a forum that explored the potential pros and cons of the 16-week calendar a great majority spoke in favor of the compressed calendar.
Professor of History Barry Horlor spoke in favor of the 16-week calendar and said it would mean more time for office hours and teacher preparation.
Staff Development Coordinator Dr. Diana Kelly said she researched colleges with similar socioeconomic conditions as SWC and found that all levels of math were more positive with a longer calendar schedule.
Hari Buenfil, 25, an anthropology major, said she is in favor of the school switching to a compressed calendar system.
“I think this is the correct choice because the semester is way too long and the fact that it is long allows students to be idle because they know they have some time to catch up with their schoolwork,” said Buenfil. “This change will better prepare students because this will not let students slack off. This change will prepare students so that they can be successful at a university.”
Buenfil said she does not believe there will be any negative consequences if the change is made because it is not a significant amount of time that is being removed from the semester.
SWC’s Calendar Committee is the next stop for the proposal, then the powerful Shared Consultation Council.