“If students aren’t using J-Term, why should we keep it?” said Dr. John Netland, provost and vice president for academic affairs, as I sat in his office in disbelief that J-Term is finally coming to an end.
The discussion to end J-Term started in 2016, and official meetings began in early 2017. In the spring of 2017, the decision was turned over to the provost. Enrollment numbers were steadily decreasing, and it seemed like it wasn’t going to change. Ultimately, leadership made the decision for five reasons, Dr. Bryan Carrier, vice president of student life and dean of students, explained to me.
First, the retention standpoint is not the best if students spend 6-7 weeks on break in the middle of a term. Secondly, the summer provides more control over the course that are needed for student satisfaction. The third and fourth reasons are simply that there are more summer employment, camp work and internship opportunities, making a longer summer break a better option. Finally, our calendar will be more standardized with an even flow of semesters.
While Dr.Carrier and Dr.Netland have a positive outlook regarding the decision, feelings are different for students and presents a big change. As a senior, it won’t have the same effect on me as some of the underclassmen.
“I have mixed feelings about J-term going away,” said Elizabeth Smith, junior chemistry major. “I will miss the opportunity to take a class during that time and the time off from school if I choose not to take a class, but I also am thankful that the semester will end sooner and have a longer summer.”
Dr. Netland is hopeful for the transition because of positive feedback from the survey during assessment day, and because May term is essentially the same thing as J-term, but at a different time. While administration might be accustomed to this change, it will be more difficult for students.
“I do think the transition from J-Term to summer classes is hard for rising seniors, because if they were planning on another J-Term, they lost that chance. I think it really only has a negative effect on the rising seniors, not as much any other grade level,” Smith said.
The summer term offers three opportunities to take a class instead of only one. This allows students more travel opportunities to study abroad, more progress in their degree, short-term GO Trips and a longer summer period to pursue career goals and internships.
When I asked Dr. Carrier what his hope was for summer term, he lit up. It was encouraging to see administration hopeful and wanting the best for students. He chuckled a bit, and said, “My hope is that students are able to have experience we desire them to have. To have breaks at an appropriate time. Have more time to learn and the retention of learning. To give more opportunities and possibilities for the students’ academic-wise.”
I spoke to junior ministry and missions major, Tricia Claire Griffin about her time taking a J-term and her thoughts on May term. Like many other students, she didn’t exactly know how to feel about the change.
“I really love J-term because it gives me a long time to work, get classes out of the way and spend time with family,” said Griffin.
In the past, she has taken summer classes, but they have been online or completely remote.
“I think a longer summer is super exciting and it’s what most schools do, so we’ll be on par to start summer jobs when all the other college kids do,” said Griffin. “I’ll actually be able to hang out and enjoy my friends since we all get out at the same time.”
Dr. Netland mentioned that he has a bit of nostalgia towards J-Term since it has been around for so long, but he thinks this new format of learning will still benefit students. The classes will still be intimate and provide multiple chances to get more difficult classes done in one month.
“In January, it’s different because most other schools are still in session but in the summer, most schools are already out, you know?” Glori Gronberg, senior accounting major, told me. “As a senior, it won’t really have an effect on me, but I loved J-Term and if I was staying, I would be sad because I enjoyed that extra break to rejuvenate after the holiday. I personally don’t think people will want to take the summer unless they just absolutely have to.”
The departments offering the classes are anticipated to be the ones that are typically offered during January. Carrier already has next year’s calendar published and the following year proposed. While I finished my interview with Dr. Carrier, I joked with him, asking how they set the graduation date and why this one was so much later then years past.
“That’s how the numbers worked this year,” said Dr. Carrier. “That’s how we figure out the calendar. People think it is spectacular, but it’s not rocket science. We sit around figuring out numbers and making sure we get enough hours from each course. Next year graduation will be May 8, and that’s not even the earliest it will ever be.”
