BY CHAND VISWANATHAN

The report addressing the effects of converting from a quarter to a semester calendar, presented by a joint committee of faculty and administrators including College of Letters and Science Vice Provost Judith Smith and Undergraduate Council Chair Raymond Knapp, provides an objective and balanced picture of the issues involved, pointing out the benefits and drawbacks in both calendar systems.

The supporters of the quarter system cite greater flexibility in scheduling, wider choice of courses and range of subjects, and higher intensity as advantages of the quarter system. On the other hand, the backers of the semester system argue that it offers more time for thinking and acquiring new knowledge. It is, they say, more conducive to promoting reflective and deep thinking, and provides for independent studies under the supervision of faculty members and greater opportunities for interacting with faculty. The pace allows for catch-up if one should get behind, they point out.

The arguments offered by both sides are equally valid, and a high quality education can be offered using either calendar, provided curricular revision is done properly. The number of hours of instruction required for graduation did not change from 1,800 hours in the semester system (40 courses x 15 weeks x 3 hours per week) when the switch to the quarter system occurred (45 x 10 x 4). However over the last several years, class time for many four-unit classes in the quarter system was reduced from four to three hours. Additionally, in many departments courses are being “re-united” to five units to reflect the student workload.

The University of California is a single university with multiple campuses. We have one Academic Senate and one president to preside over the 10 campuses and represent the university in Sacramento. A single calendar for all the campuses is advantageous and desirable. The benefits cannot be ignored. Being on the same calendar would mean better systemwide planning and reporting, uniform graduation requirements and more. It would be more convenient for students who want to take courses at other campuses or do special projects under a professor whose expertise is not available at the local campus. An exchange of visiting faculty members between campuses would be easier.

By converting to a semester system, UC will fall in line with the majority of the member institutions in the Association of American Universities, which functions on a semester calendar. Our students will be able to compete for summer jobs and internships at the same time students from semester schools apply for these positions. The concerns such as sabbatical leave, loss of about two weeks’ summer salary during the transition year and budget implications can be worked out through careful planning.

The transition will bring with it a one-time cost, but the operational costs are expected to be lower under a semester system due to the decrease from three to two registration and enrollment periods in each academic year.

In the long run, conversion to the semester calendar is a worthy investment that will ultimately enhance the quality of undergraduate education.

Viswanathan is professor of electrical engineering and former chair of the UCLA and systemwide Academic Senate.