Reporter
As the transition from quarters to semesters in fall 2016 draws near, students of CSU Bakersfield are being urged to prepare themselves.
The big switch has been rumored for years, but students and staff are now striving to be ready for it by the upcoming fall. The transition to semester will begin on Aug. 22. the first day of the fall semester.
While many have expressed their concern and nervousness, CSUB is committed to “no loss of academic progress, no extended time to degree completion, and no additional cost for degree completion” to students who create and follow an approved academic plan with their counselors, according to the quarter to semester webpage.
In spite of such encouraging promises, plenty of students remain skeptical. “I feel stressed,” said sociology major Eliza Dyer, who hopes to graduate before the transition. “I hate semesters because they’re so long.”
Dyer said she is particularly afraid of not being able to get classes when she needs them – a fair concern, considering students who miss a class one semester will have to wait a whole 16 weeks for the next semester to take it.
However, the school is making efforts to eliminate this risk by creating individualized academic plans, or IAPs, for all transitioning students.
“An IAP will tell you exactly what you need to take, exactly when you need to take it,” explained Jennifer McCune, coordinator for the academic advising and resource center.
While IAPs should provide some relief to transitioning students, they are also expected to help predict course demand. Another concern for students is the potential cost of the change.
However, the school insists that the full-time tuition for an academic year under semesters will not cost more than it would under quarters.
“There is not a natural tuition increase that goes along with the transition,” said McCune.
Although the shift has many feeling anxious, there are also benefits to semesters that some may even prefer. Having more time to learn material and complete assignments could be a relief to many.
Despite most units for classes going down from five units to three units because of the transition, CSUB students will still be allowed to take a maximum of 19 units for each semester.
Additionally, the switch will allow for easier transfers between institutions and align with major community colleges — the overwhelming majority of which operate under the semester system. Students seeking more information on the conversion are encouraged to explore the quarter to semester webpage on the CSUB website. Students can also pick up a handbook at the AARC or talk to an adviser to learn more about the change.
