Youngstown State University. Academic Senate. Quarter to Semester Transition Team.

In 1967, Youngstown University became a member of the state university system. The State of Ohio then mandated that all state universities use a Quarter calendar. At that time, the new Youngstown State University converted from a semester to a quarter system. Not long after the mandate was instituted it was rescinded. By that time, however, many institutions did not want to go through the conversion process all over again to return to semesters. In the years since, a number of universities did decide to convert back to semesters, and even more institutions began discussing whether they should convert. At YSU the issue was examined by the Academic Senate several times. In the mid- 1980's the Senate explored the issue but voted not to convert to semesters. The issue was re-examined in 1991, and the Senate again decided not to recommend a conversion. In 1995, University President Dr. Leslie Cochran addressed the Senate and stated that he felt that the question of conversion to a semester system was not one of whether, but of when. There had been some interest in beginning a conversion at that time, but the Administration recommended that it be postponed because of other business on the University's agenda, including a review of General Education requirements. The transition was proposed because of changes in state-funding procedures, the expense involved in administering a quarter-based institution, the wish to bring YSU into conformity with institutions in the state and in western Pennsylvania, and the desire to improve access. The conversion would also provide students with more time for an indepth study of course material as well as making enrollment more stable. In the summer of 1997, Dr. Cochran appointed an ad hoc Semester Conversion Work Group to review the important issues that would be dealt with during a conversion, and to make appropriate recommendations concerning a conversion process. Addressing the University community at his annual opening address on September 15, Dr. Cochran announced that he would ask the Board of Trustees to approve a conversion to a semester system at its December meeting. In the meantime, colleges and departments were asked to examine semester issues specific to their own units and to begin discussions of how the conversion would affect them. At its meeting on December 15, 1997, the Board of Trustees approved a conversion to a semester system effective with the start of classes in Fall 2000. Shortly afterward, President Cochran appointed the Transition Team to oversee the conversion process. Membership was comprised of individuals from the Academic Senate, Academic Planning Committee of the Senate, Student Government, Department Chairpersons, Academic Advisors and The Semester Conversion Work Group.