Students interested in capitalizing on the 6-weeks between the Fall and Spring semesters may have the option to take session classes, though not for the next two years.
The Associated Student Senate discussed but did not vote on the possibility of implementing a winter session on Friday. The proposed session would run from Jan. 1 through Feb. 10.
The inclusion of these classes would mean that the Spring semester would end on June 19, pushing the current date back nearly one month. The Winter session would not conflict with the start of summer school or the starting date in the fall. It would also give students who choose not to attend nearly an 8-week break.
The Winter session would mirror the current six-week session taught during the summer. Students could carry an eight-unit maximum course load and could enroll in similar types of classes from the Spring and Fall academic calendars.
Ben Partee, assistant dean of educational programs, presented the proposed ’06-’07 academic calendar to the Associated Student Senate in hopes that they will endorse it during their next meeting Jan. 28.
“This is a while away, there are a lot of issues that it depends on,” said Partee. “Until a new [online] student information system is in place this will not happen.”
The instructor senate opposed a similar proposal from Dr. Jack Friedlander, executive vice president of educational affairs, at the end of last semester.
The student senate passed the proposal that would offer two sequential summer sessions unanimously in November.
“For the faculty members who have already taught sections in the summer this will be essentially the format,” Partee said. “And for the faculty who decide not to teach, this will give them a longer break.”
He also said he believes the chance to earn more units over the winter break gives City College students a needed lift towards transferring or advancing towards an associate’s degree.
“Students are looking at a lot of downtime (during the winter break),” said Partee. “What we are offering is an opportunity to complete a degree program in a timely manner.”
In Friday’s student senate discussion, George Bullock looked at the Winter session as a great opportunity for students.
“If the teachers support it, this is a no-brainer,” he said.