OTTERBEIN TO BEGIN SEMESTER SYSTEM IN 2011

Otterbein College will switch to a semester system in fall 2011, after the Board of Trustees unanimously approved the proposal at their Oct. 11 meeting. The college has been on a quarter system since 1968.

"The semester system will make possible the addition of learning strategies that are often not possible in quarters," said Abíódún Góké-Paríolá, vice president of Academic Affairs.

The proposal included two 14-week semesters with a 3-week January term (J-term). Students will generally take four 4-hour classes each semester, compared with three 5-hour courses each quarter. The graduation requirement will be 128 semester hours, compared to 180 quarter hours.

Under the new system, students will have more time to process and absorb information in classes. In addition, students have the opportunity to further explore the five cardinal experiences, including undergraduate research, service learning, community engagement, internships/work experience, and travel abroad.

In the coming weeks, representatives from all campus administrative divisions, faculty, students, staff and administrators, will form the Semester Transition Committee to oversee the transition process.