By Richard Garibay
Senior Staff Writer
By now you’ve probably heard all of the talk about the big change from quarters to semesters happening in 2016. You’ve most likely also heard the two sides arguing endlessly either in support of or against the change. When it comes down to it the change is really from three five unit classes per quarter to five three unit classes per semester, which means more classes and twice the amount of time in that class.
The ‘Discussion Paper: Conversion of Academic Calendar from Quarters to Semesters’ packet states that, “The administration currently believes that a semester conversion would best serve the long-term needs of students and the institution as whole.”
From what I have read that is actually true. It brings up important points like failing students will have more time to catch up than they do with the current system.
The packet also says the change will increase the efficiency of CSUB because it “… reduces workload by reducing the number of academic-year term-based processes from three to two times per year.”
This basically means offices that deal in things like financial aid and academic advising won’t have to scramble around for three times a year, only two.
Junior Communications major Zachary Gonzalez brought up a very good point in support of the change, “It’s going to give students an opportunity to really immerse themselves in what they’re learning”, which is very true as they’ll spend more time in the classes.
There is, however, another side to this argument.
When asked about the change, junior Theatre major Kayleigh Jacobs said, “I don’t like it at all because I was on semesters at BC and I love quarters so much because as soon as I start to get bored with my classes they’re over. You don’t have that extra five weeks of pretending like you care.”
I completely agree with her. A mathematics major that has to spend twice as long learning about Shakespeare might as well be in hell. Another concern I have is that more time means more opportunity to fall behind not catch up. Maybe that’s just my glass half empty outlook but with quick quarters I’m out of a class before I’ve had the opportunity to give up.
When it comes down to it I believe that the change from quarters to semesters will benefit CSUB itself and those 2016 freshman who will start with the semesters. This leaves those people who must endure the change in an awkward position. To you I say suck it up, it isn’t all about you. Realize that this change will be positive for the bigger picture. However, I don’t believe the administration should tell you it’s the greatest thing since sliced bread.
