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Semester Conversion: Lessons Learned At The University of Toledo

Semester Conversion: Lessons Learned At The University of Toledo. Ohio Semesters Summit The Ohio State University. Andy Jorgensen UT Director of Calendar Conversion, 1995-97 Associate Professor & Director of General Chemistry . October 25 , 2010. Lessons From Toledo.

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Semester Conversion: Lessons Learned At The University of Toledo

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  1. Semester Conversion: Lessons Learned At The University of Toledo Ohio Semesters Summit The Ohio State University Andy Jorgensen UT Director of Calendar Conversion, 1995-97 Associate Professor & Director of General Chemistry October 25 , 2010

  2. Lessons From Toledo • Overview & Statistics • Principles of Conversion • The Practice of Conversion • Outcomes • Advice to Future Converters

  3. Overview and Statistics • Decision made in May 1995 for August 1997 • This allowed only 27 months for completion • 5 Major new committees (two @ 30 members) created to work with existing groups • Every faculty member & advisor was involved • 5,200 Semester courses created • All courses and curricula were approved through the existing system – no short-cuts • No cut-rate curricula!

  4. Principles of Conversion • Use existing structures (e.g. Faculty Senate) • Communicate with students, faculty, staff • Require 2/3rds conversion, either: • Per course (4 or 5 quarter hrs to 3 semester hrs) • Per sequence (3 courses to 2 courses) • Curricular unit expansion not permitted without approval • Students will not be disadvantaged if they remain registered full time

  5. Practice of Conversion • Established broad buy-in via membership of committees • Normalized rules and policies across colleges • Offered transition courses for 1 year • Provided training, resources, conversion office • Faculty working on curricular development given course release or compensation

  6. Strategies Used to Portray the Conversion as Positive and Beneficial • Stated the guarantee and meant it: • “You will not be disadvantaged….” • Noted the pedagogical value and common existence of semesters • Disarmed anxiety: • Did you go to high school? • It was almost certainly on semesters • Stressed assistance via branded communication

  7. Outcomes • Ongoing enrollment decline leveled off • Transfer and articulation improved • Normalization achieved across colleges • Scheduling rationalized (room and time) • Student Satisfaction Survey: • Mail: Satisfied ≈ Dissatisfied • Phone: Satisfied = 2 x Dissatisfied • Graduation numbers increased in last quarter • Students moved to lighter credit hour loads • Zero university level student appeals submitted!

  8. First term on semesters was 1997. Merged with MCO in 2007.

  9. Advice to Future Converters • Have central office and person for questions • State, restate, live Commitment to students • Encourage and support faculty to dream – and research new curricula • Utilize web extensively • Carry out exhaustive data checking • Be sensitive to morale of all parties • Celebrate completion! “Thanks to you, it’s Time for Semesters”

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