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Why the quarter system?. College age population increases by 65% from 1960-1975 due to the baby boom Many universities switch to quarter system to accommodate higher enrollment Quarters were not viewed as a superior system for learning. Pros and Cons of the Quarter S ystem.
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Why the quarter system? College age population increases by 65% from 1960-1975 due to the baby boom Many universities switch to quarter system to accommodate higher enrollment Quarters were not viewed as a superior system for learning
Pros – The Quarter System • Greater course variety • Easier to switch majors or double major • Undesirable courses finish quicker • Allows for more prerequisites before entering a major
Cons – The Quarter System • Less student time for out-of-class preparation • less time for assessing student work • Many textbooks designed for semester system ;chapters skipped • Unable to go in-depth in the subject
Semester system at UO • 1973 – The University of Oregon Law school switches to the semester system from quarter system • Chapin Clark , former UO Law School Dean “Transition was a great success” • UO Law school remains on Semester
Semester system at UO • 1977 – University committee established to research advantages and disadvantages of semester system at UO • 1979 - Council of Deans votes 18 to 0 with 3 abstentions to recommend UO to switch to semester
Support • “The new (semester) system has been in operation for five years with no complaints.” – Villanova University 1980 • “The students and faculty are well pleased with this change.” – The University of Colorado • “I feel that it has been a great success here, and I certainly recommend it to any institution for its adoption.” – University of Kansas
National Trend • Currently 90% of American Universities are on the semester system • Several more universities are in the process of switching • University of Cincinnati, The Ohio State University, Cal State LA
The Vehicle? The Semester System