Universities have grappled with declining enrollment over the past decade and have explored various strategies to boost enrollment and enhance student success. To compete with other universities nationally and align their academic calendar with traditional semesters, the university in this study transitioned from four 11-week to five 8-week…

The 4-4-1 plan adopted by Wesleyan College in North Carolina is reviewed with reference to the use of the May term or mini-semester. The lack of anticipated increased use of library resources is emphasized and suggestions are offered for changing this trend of the last three years. (LBH)

Effects on students of changing from the term to the semester academic calendar at Central Missouri State University (CMSU) were studied. Attention was directed to changes in average student credit hours generated, course load, grades earned, and classes dropped per students. Undergraduate and graduate students were evaluated 2 years before and 2…

The experiences of a variety of postsecondary institutions using different academic calendar options are examined. Several calendar options are described: the traditional semester, the early semester, 4-1-4, the quarter system, the trimester plan, composite plans, and year-round plans. The traditional semester calendar begins in mid-September and…

This paper compares student headcount enrollment and full-time enrollment prior to and following transition to a semester calendar at 75 public colleges in three state systems: Alabama, Georgia, and Utah. Before and after effects on enrollment in the transition colleges are examined and compared with colleges that did not make the transition. In…

Looks at the trend toward the early-start semester calendar in American colleges and universities, and examines administrative, pedagogical, and fiscal considerations in making the change from a quarter system. Topics discussed include the impact on the curriculum and instruction, summer session, access, enrollment management, and institutional…