A town hall for faculty members will be held this week to explore UT’s possible conversion from a 16-week semester to a 15-week semester.
Faculty members are invited to contribute to the conversation Friday, Dec. 2, at 4 p.m. in Libbey Hall.
This proposed calendar conversion is part of an effort at the University to support and enhance student and faculty success, according to Dr. Andrew Hsu, provost and executive president for academic affairs.
“For student success, a 15-week semester calendar will allow more winter and summer intersessions for students to take additional courses and improve time to degree and graduation rate,” he said.
Hsu added that many students are going through college with little family financial contribution, and the additional summer and winter break time also would help them to better support themselves.
“The shortened semester also would provide faculty with more time for research and scholarly activities, and for travel and participating in conferences and other professional activities,” he said. “For faculty pursuing the teaching excellence track, the additional intersessions, if implemented, may also provide faculty members with extra teaching opportunities.”
The proposed semester calendar change also would bring UT in line with other major state schools, including Ohio State, Cincinnati, Miami, Kent, Akron, Cleveland State, Wright State and Ohio University.
Faculty Senate is examining the possible semester change.
“The Faculty Senate will be voting on whether to switch to a 15-week semester at its Tuesday, Dec. 6, meeting,” Mary Humphrys, associate professor of applied organizational technology and president of Faculty Senate, said. “Friday’s forum will give faculty another venue in which to discuss this move and provide input regarding the logistics of accomplishing such a change.”
Faculty members who are unable to attend the town hall are encouraged to share input by email to facultysenate@utoledo.edu.
