Students carry weight in semester decision

By the end of spring quarter, the Academic Senate will decide
whether UCLA should switch to an academic calendar based on
semesters or keep the current quarter system. Then Chancellor
Carnesale will make a recommendation to the regents. The next few
months are crucial in terms of gathering student input because
future students will undoubtedly be affected if UCLA converts to
the semester system.

The Undergraduate Student Association Council is currently
soliciting student opinion. So far USAC has conducted two
randomized electronic surveys as well as asking individuals’
and student groups’ opinions. The surveys indicate a majority
of undergraduates prefer quarters over semesters. However, the fact
that many undergraduates have never been in a semester system while
attending a university ““ with the exception of community
college transfer students ““ complicates the issue.

Therefore, the survey results may be interpreted as an
indication that most students are content with the current system
and do not think change is necessary. While this sentiment is
understandable, the discussion’s goal is to ascertain which
system better allows students to flourish academically, socially
and emotionally. The discussion’s context should also
consider which system better enhances the effectiveness of
UCLA’s educational programs, best supports the teaching,
research and service mission of the university, and makes UCLA a
more integrated and accessible learning environment.

In a semester system, students have an easier time transitioning
from high school, state universities or community colleges.
Students can pace their studies over a longer time period, analyze
issues more thoroughly, and interact longer with faculty members
teaching their classes. the semester system also allows students
the chance to look at topics more thoroughly and to recover from
low-graded assignments. Furthermore, the level of stress students
experience is often lower in the semester system relative to the
quarter system.

Under the quarter system students can benefit from greater
scheduling flexibility, exposure to more professors, greater
diversity of classes offered, less time spent in
“boring” courses, and consequences of failure in a
course is more easily made up.

Both systems have positive attributes, which explains why there
is no clear consensus regarding this debate. However, there is
general disagreement between graduate students who support a
semester system and undergraduates who prefer quarters. Both
groups’ needs must be evaluated concurrently so that they
both have equal weight. If semesters are deemed preferable,
the change will be universal.

If UCLA decides to switch to a semester system, the consequences
could affect the entire UC system. Only UC Berkeley uses the
semester system, but the unfinished UC Merced will also follow the
semester calender. A UCLA switch would most likely prompt the other
UCs to follow suit, so this debate is not just about UCLA’s
future direction.

Of course UCLA is a diverse university. Everyone will have a
different opinion on what system is best based on factors like
majors, lifestyle, financial demands, background, etc. The most
important thing is for students to get informed and involved,
regardless of their opinion.