HISTORY OF THE PROPOSED TRIMESTER SYSTEM

1. HISTORY OF THE PROPOSED TRIMESTER SYSTEM UNIVERSITY SENATE, October 15th, 2012 • April 24th, 2010: Draft concept paper “Balanced Trimester Plan for Purdue University” (TD Sands and LP Sands)* • May 18th, 2010: Memo on “Balanced Trimester Plan” from Keith Murray, SMAS Director, to TDS* • March 2011: Decadal planning process initiated • March 2011: “Blue Sky/Blue Ocean” ideas solicited from all Purdue faculty and staff; ~60 proposals received. • April 2011: Three faculty roundtables organized to discuss proposals • April 2011: Decadal subcommittees established; deliberations through June 2011 • June 27th, 2011: 43 Big Ideas vetted by steering committee before retreat, identifying “Balanced Trimester” as one of top three (along with “Doubling Philanthropy” and the “24/7/12 University”) • June 29th, 2011: Steering committee retreat *Document available on Senate website

2. HISTORY OF THE PROPOSED TRIMESTER SYSTEM UNIVERSITY SENATE, October 15th, 2012 • July/August 2011: Auxiliary and Service Center Subcommittee* and Physical Facilities Subcommittee* offer initial analyses • August 2011: Discussion with the Board of Trustees • Fall 2011: Further development of financial models • January 11th, 2012: News Release - “Purdue trimester plan will accelerate time-to-degree, enhance educational opportunities”* • January 23rd, 2012: provost (TDS) presents decadal update (including Trimester) to University Senate* • January 24th, 2012: “Decadal Update” memo to campus community from provost TDS* • August 2012: Prof. Frank Dooley chosen to lead build-up of summer and transition planning for Balanced Trimester (3 yr. appointment) *Document available on Senate website

3. Summer status • Purdue – WL campus largely idle in the summer; 6,000 undergraduates; 7% of fall credit hours • Disincentivizing budget model; lack of course offerings; compressed schedule • Lack of summer academic options limits fall/spring internships for students; fall/spring travel and research for faculty • Only 42% of baccalaureate seekers complete in four years From TDS report to University Senate on January 23rd, 2012

4. A plan forward • Build summer credit hours from 7% to 35% of fall. • Flip calendar in ~2020 from two semesters of 15 instructional weeks to three trimesters of 13 instructional weeks. • Build summer trimester to 70% of fall, with >20,000 students in residence and an annual increase of 25% in student credit hours From TDS report to University Senate on January 23rd, 2012

5. BENEFITS • More flexibility for students; Increased 4-yr graduation rates • More flexibility for faculty • Some may teach three trimesters for additional compensation • Some may choose fall or spring as a “research” trimester • Minimal disruption for those who stay on fall-spring cycle • Net revenues estimated at $40M annually • revenue of $190M – cost of $150M • Better utilization of fixed assets • Faculty numbers will need to increase • Enhanced local economy From TDS report to University Senate on January 23rd, 2012

6. Caveats and Conditions • Current momentum in enhanced undergraduate applicant profile and demand must be maintained • Budget model must incentivize summer for both students and faculty • Calendar will not be altered until summer utilization is substantially enhanced (target: 35% of fall) From TDS report to University Senate on January 23rd, 2012

7. University senate role • Building Summer (2012-2020) • Calendar change to Trimester (~2020) • M-F scheduling (e.g., move to 60 and 120 minute standard periods; accommodating blended learning) • Academic Calendar (e.g., start fall after labor day, end spring in late April; breaks; holidays; exam schedules; modular trimesters). • Definition of faculty academic year and compensation options • Definition of full load for faculty and students • Timing of transition From TDS report to University Senate on January 23rd, 2012