OUR VIEW: No more summer schedule bummer

Anyone who has scrambled to throw together a legitimate 6- or 12-credit summer semester schedule understands the headache that comes from fighting with Access Banner at all hours of the night. Just when it seems like that magical combination has been achieved, the final class — that final piece of the puzzle — is a class that’s taught from 7:30-11:30 a.m. Wednesdays only, from May 16 to June 10. Problem is the class just so happens to conflict with a European dream vacation you planned a year ago.

In short, the labyrinthine nightmare that summer registrations used to emulate will hopefully become a breezy summer daydream that draws higher numbers to summer enrollment. Provost Raymond Coward, in conjunction with Student Services, the Registrar’s Office and other faculty, has worked to put together a new summer class model that may alleviate some the pain.

In summers past there have been at least five summer semester sessions — three four-week and two eight-week blocks — of intensive, fast-paced, full-credit college courses. Those who managed to find summer classes that actually fulfilled necessary major, minor or general education requirements can likely sympathize with the stress caused by the chaotic nature of summer class schedules.

For students who can only take 9-12 credits per semester during the regular academic year and want to stay on track to graduate in four years, it certainly pays to register for summer credit hours — especially those staying in Cache Valley for at least a portion of the summer. However, the problem therein lies. Most people feel they need to get away for at least a couple of weeks. And, in the past, it was next to impossible to fit the necessary number of credits required to be eligible for financial aid into just one of the many summer sessions. This usually meant attending one or two classes per session, thus chewing up most of the summer break.

Hopefully now, with the new summer class scheduling method, combined with a wider range of courses to choose from, the experimental plan Coward spoke of at last Monday’s Faculty Senate meeting will make things easier. It should make it more appealing for a larger group of students to consider sacrificing a portion of their summers and, in the long run, save some time by graduating sooner.