November 8, 2016
TO: UW-Superior UAAC and Faculty Senate Members
FROM: Dean Yohnk, Dean of Faculties and Members of the Chancellor’s Retention Task Force
RE: Pilot “J-Term” (or “WinTerm” – name TBD) in January 2018
Provided below are details related to the proposed three week “J-Term” (or “WinTerm”) pilot session proposed for January 2-20, 2018. Please note that his draft now includes suggested additions from our most recent UAAC meeting. Specifically, please see items “f” and “I” in the list below for details related to maximum credits allowed and the offering of required courses outside the J-Term session.
This request is based upon recommendations emerging out of the Chancellor’s Summer Task Force on Retention as well as other research related to J-Term “best practices” utilized across the UW System and campuses across the nation. Many institutions of higher learning have realized that a condensed academic term scheduled between the traditional fall and spring semesters can indeed offer interested students access to needed and desired courses in a timelier manner during a time that traditionally does not offer access to academic courses.
Here are the specific details related to the proposed J-Term Pilot for January 2018:
a. This J-Term session would be held from Jan. 2 – 20, 2018.
b. The goal is to view the J-Term as a unique short term in the academic calendar that allows students to pursue year-round learning and improved access to courses needed for completing degrees in a timely fashion. Our goal is to serve a various groups of students on campus, including but not limited to:
· Students who want to “catch up” on taking (or retaking) required core or “gateway” prerequisite courses that will allow students to stay “on track” and prepare students for next-step courses in the spring term.
· Students who want to “move ahead” at a more rapid pace by taking required core, gateway, or general education courses in a more “year around” manner.
· Students who want to be “intentionally-focused” on taking a single required core or general education course in a more condensed, intensive timeframe (as deemed appropriate by department).
· Students who need “access to high demand bottle-neck courses” (i.e. statistics), who due to various scheduling conflicts cannot get into these courses during the regular fall or spring terms in a timely fashion.
· Students who are “place-bound” in the area (local students, international students) may also wish to take 1-2 courses during the J-Term in order balance their semester loads and/or complete one of the motivations listed above.
c. Online delivery will likely be the most popular format for the J-Term session, allowing students with optimal access to classes from any location. Moreover, courses offered via Distance Learning and/or Continuing Education have a different cost model (typically paying $100/student/credit for instructors), which can assist in the financial viability of the J-Term. Online courses (likely the majority offered) will have normal online scheduling flexibilities. Our Distance Learning leadership have indicated that they support this new academic-focused J-Term.
d. For any on campus face-to-face courses, we propose three consistent scheduling periods: M-F 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.and in the evening from 6:00-9:00 p.m. Some courses may be best delivered using face-to-face or blended delivery methodologies.
e. This J-Term pilot would consist of 8-10 three credit high-demand courses that we believe will have a high likelihood of meeting enrollment targets (typically 15 students for on campus courses). Our projected enrollment for the January 2018 pilot would be 135-150 total course enrollments. The Dean and Provost will consult with the Department Chairs, Advising Office, Office of Institutional Research, Registrar’s Office, and Enrollment Management leaders in order to determine the most appropriate and needed courses for this pilot J-Term. We must rely on subject-area experts to determine which courses can be effectively taught in the condensed 3 week intensive “immersion” format.
f. No student would be allowed to enroll in more than one course (up to four credits) without special permission from their academic advisor. No student will be allowed to enroll in more than six total credits in this J-Term session given the intensity of condensed course scheduling. We encourage student advisors to work with individual students to determine a logical and reasonable number of credits for the student to take in this condensed session.
g. This pilot thee week J-Term will also encourage departments and programs to hold special “study away” and academic service learning activities within this condensed term. This new J-Term session will allow and encourage departments and programs to schedule for-credit study away and study abroad experiences during this period.
h. I suggest that for this first J-Term pilot, we hire qualified instructors via our DL/CE overload process. Although in future years faculty and IAS may be able to teach J-Term courses within their annual full time load (24 or 30 credits), I think that I is “risky” for us to do this in the pilot year of J-Term.
i. It is important to note that departments must continue to offer required general education, core, and required courses for majors and minors during the regular fall and spring terms. No courses required to complete major or minor programs should be offered only during the J-Term session.
j. We will need to work closely with professional and departmental advisors in order to market and promote this pilot J-Term in 2018. We realize that it will take time for students at UW-Superior to fully maximize that benefits of such a term, which is already offered by 11 of the 13 UW comprehensive campuses and on all 13 UW College campuses.
Please let me know if you have any questions regarding this request (or charge) to consider this proposed pilot J-Term session. I (and others from the Retention Task Force) would be happy to meet with you to discuss this as needed.
Sincerely,
Dean Yohnk
Dr. Dean Yohnk, Ph.D., Dean of Faculties and Graduate Studies
3079 Swenson Hall ∙ 1610 Weeks Avenue ∙ Superior, WI 54880 ∙ 715-394-8131 /
GRADUATE STUDIES: 715-394-8295/ ∙ DEAN OF FACULTIES: 715-394-8595/