The articles reviewed in this paper are a supplement to a previous publication on college and university calendars. This new data tends to strongly reinforce the crucial point made in the previous study that indicated that college and university administrators have advocated one system, then another, without adequate empirical follow-up of the…

History of the academic calendar. (HS)

This document reports the results of a survey conducted to determine (1) the types of academic calendars being used in colleges and universities in the U.S.: and (2) the changes taking place. Six types of calendars are defined: the traditional semester calendar; the trimester calendar; the 4-1-4 calendar; and other calendars. The survey was very…

Researchers urge adoption of a standardized college calendar and express a few preferences. (Editor)

THE REPORT IS CONFINED TO THE QUESTION OF THE PREFERABLE CALENDAR FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AND CALIFORNIA STATE COLLEGES, AND IS NOT SPECIFICALLY CONCERNED WITH THE UNDERLYING REASONS FOR INSTITUTION OF YEAR-ROUND OPERATIONS, SUCH AS POSSIBLE LONG-TERM SAVINGS IN COSTS AND BENEFITS TO STUDENTS. THE FOUR-QUARTER CALENDAR IS SUGGESTED OVER…

This report presents highlights of and summarizes 17 articles and papers on college calendars that were published between 1959 and 1970. The calendars discussed include the 2 semester calendar that operates on a 10-month year; the year-round calendar that adds 1 or 2 summer sessions to the 2 semester year; the interim-term calendar often…

The annual survey shows 75 institutions changing for 1983-84. The early semester calendar was the only type to gain, adding 49 institutions, but the overall distribution of calendar types has changed little. Most using traditional semesters are in California or New York. Only 8 percent use the 4-1-4 schedule. (MSE)

The calendar systems used at 3,387 colleges and universities in 1982 were identified. Comparisons to the systems used in 1978 and 1981 also were made. It was found that the predominant calendar type in use has been and continues to be the semester. From 1978 to 1981, there was a 2 percent increase in the use of the semester system nationwide, with…

Relatively new year-round calendars are examined in this book. Chapters deal with the rationale for year-round operation; status, trends, and problems of year-long campus calendars; financial implications of year-round operation; and case studies of selected year-round programs in operation. Fifty-four specific institutions are identified.…

Since the 1960s, many colleges and universities have shortened their school years. Driven by debate about the quality of undergraduate education and about whether students are getting their money's worth in college, some institutions are reexamining their academic calendars. Practical considerations, including student attendance patterns, make…

The number of days in each quarter, semester, or trimester is compared for academic years 1968-69 and 1993-94, for 10 private and 10 public colleges and universities. Intersessions and January sessions are included. Total number of days per year have decreased in almost all these cases and now vary from 134 to 172. (MSE)

The calendar innovation at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh is evaluated in this FIPSE-supported project. Five objectives are addressed: (1) assessment of changes in campus activities, climate, and attitudes of students, faculty, administrators, and the Oshkosh community; (2) measurement of student and faculty attitudes toward unique…

A trend toward adoption of the early-semester calendar, which runs from August to May with exams before Christmas vacation is discussed, along with other changes in college scheduling for curriculum development, increased efficiency, student job scheduling, student retention, and decreased paperwork. (MSE)

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…