Auburn University Semester Transition Fall of 2000 Information about the transition from quarters to semesters for incoming and transfer students Summer 1999 Edition

Inside this guide: Guide designed to assist students through transition Student Success Center offers ‘Study Smart’ classes Converting quarter hours to semester hours Semester terms 15 weeks, summer sessions 10 weeks Students will be protected against credit loss Appeals process is avenue for resolving transition issues Semester transition will not increase tuition Change to semesters places AU in university majority Advising is key to smooth transition Summer 2000: Final quarter term shorter than most Auburn University calendar, Summer 1999 - Summer 2001 Undergraduate student advisor contacts

A message from the provost    Auburn University will switch to the semester system in Fall 2000.    Although courses and hourly degree requirements will change, the credits you will have earned under the quarter system will convert to semester credits without penalties or undue delay in your progress toward graduation.    Course requirements under the semester system will be structured to enable students to graduate as anticipated. If your progress toward completing degree requirements was at an appropriate rate to achieve a timely graduation under the quarter system, this progress should continue into the semester system. Your GPA will not change because of conversion to semesters. And if you are receiving financial aid, the amount you are awarded each year should not change as a result of the conversion to the semester system.    The key to successful transition from quarters to semesters as an undergraduate student is to begin early working with your academic advisor to plan remaining course work. It is the goal of your advisor to keep you on track regarding your academic program.    The goal of the transition process is to convert Auburn’s curriculum from the quarter to the semester system in a way that maintains and improves the quality of the curriculum and enhances Auburn University’s high standards of academic excellence.    Strategies for making the transition successfully: • Work closely with your academic advisor and follow their advice in developing your coursework. • Try to complete all sequenced courses under the quarter system if possible, or wait until after the semester system goes into effect to begin taking a particular sequence.       Faculty and advisors will work with you to approve degree requirements during the transition.    For courses not completed under the quarter system, you will have to take semester courses equivalent to the quarter courses that were part of your degree requirements or make approved substitutions.    Should you have any questions, please contact your academic advisor.

   The Summer 1999 Student Guide is designed to provide incoming and transfer students with essential information to assist them in preparing for the transition to semesters in Fall 2000.
   You are among the transition students -- those students who began enrollment on the quarter system, but who will complete their degree requirements on the semester system. As a member of this group you are encouraged to utilize this guide to carefully plan for the transition.
   Students have a responsibility to ensure that they make the transition successfully. Perhaps the most important thing for all undergraduate students to remember when planning to make the transition is consult academic advisors. This is the key to making the transition successfully and without penalties.
   The Summer 1999 Student Guide is specifically designed for presentation during Camp War Eagle, but it is only one means through which students will receive information about the transition before the Fall of 2000 implementation.

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   Students who need extra help in developing study skills may find assistance through Auburn’s Student Success Center and its Study Smart classes.
   The noncredit classes meet twice per week each term for 10 weeks. Study Smart is a program designed for students placed on academic warning, or suspension, but it is available to students wishing to sharpen their academic skills.
   Material is presented in lecture and small group format. Like in a credit-bearing class, Study Smart uses a book, homework and quizzes. However, the student does not receive a grade.
   The purpose of the class is to assist students in defining academic and personal goals by developing techniques to become a more successful student, said Kathryn Jarvis, Academic Support coordinator.
   Weekly topics include: Time management; note taking; writing; speaking; learning styles; critical reading; critical thinking; and test taking strategies. Upon completing the program, students receive a certificate of accomplishment, which is helpful when appealing a suspension and applying for readmission to the university.
   For more information about Study Smart, contact Dafni Greene in Academic Support, 844-5972 or by electronic mail: greenm@mail.auburn.edu.

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   The semester calendar will consist of a 15-week fall semester (plus one week for final examinations), and a 15-week spring semester (plus one week for final examinations).
   The summer term will consist of a 10-week session that can be structured as two 5-week mini terms. This will enable students to customize the summer term into a variety of course options.

Click here for calendar comparison chart

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   Students who follow the advice of their academic advisors and who are continuing on their program of study begun under the quarter system will not lose credit earned under the quarter system as a result of the semester transition.
   Credits received from courses taken under the quarter system will convert to the semester system. Quarter credit hours will be converted to semester credit hours and will count toward fulfilling degree requirements.
   Students already enrolled in a course of study when the semester system goes into effect will continue working toward their degrees based on the courses developed for that program in the new semester curriculum. Progress earned toward a degree program under the quarter system will not be lost as a result of the transition to semesters.

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   A Semester Transition Appeals Committee exists to ensure a student’s academic progress is not adversely affected by the quarter to semester transition. It is the goal of the appeals process to support student academic progress in a reasonable, flexible and equitable manner and to support graduation in accordance with the student’s plan of study.
   No appeals will be accepted after completion of Spring semester 2002.
Student Procedures
• Consult with an academic advisor or faculty member.
• If a mutually satisfactory resolution is not reached, appeal to the department head or chair.
• If the appeal is denied or determined to be outside the purview of the department, appeal to the dean of the college or school.
• If the college-level appeal is denied, the next level is to appeal to the Semester Transition Appeals Committee.
Committee Procedures
• Committee recommendations shall be made by simple majority vote.
• The Assistant Provost for Undergraduate Studies makes the final decision for undergraduate students based on recommendations from the Semester Transition Appeals Committee.
• Appeals made regarding the decision of the Assistant Provost for Undergraduate Studies can be made to the Executive Transition Committee, chaired by the Provost.
    Student inquiries about the procedures and materials for filing an appeal with the Semester Transition Appeals Committee should be directed to the Office of the Provost.
Restrictions on Appeals
   The following will not be grounds for appeal in the semester transition:
• Delay due to change of major.
• Delay resulting from a failed course or withdrawing from a course.
• Failure to take full loads when the opportunity was available.
• Failure to take or complete a sequence if the opportunity was available.
• Delay resulting from discontinued enrollment or academic suspension.
• Failure to meet with advisor or to follow the advisor’s advice.
• Complaints related to different or conflicting advice given concerning program specific requirements or courses by someone other than the assigned advisor.

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   Tuition is regulated by the Board of Trustees and normal increases may occur. However, tuition rates will not increase due to the transition to semesters.
   The total cost for two 15-week semesters will be approximately the same as for three 10-week quarters. Under the semester system, students will pay fees only twice each year – once for Fall and once for Spring terms; three times if they attend summer term.
   Students will be able to pay tuition and fees by credit card (Visa or Mastercard) if they wish. Auburn also is reviewing the establishment of a deferred payment program.

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   In making the switch to semesters, Auburn University is joining the majority of U.S. institutions of higher education which already operate on the semester system or are in the process of making the change.
   The first and foremost reason for changing, however, is to provide the most effective educational environment for our students.
   The conversion, among other things, provides the opportunity for each academic program to assess course offerings and formulate curricula appropriate to educate our students in the 21st century.
   There also are other advantages to operating on a semester system:

• An earlier-ending spring term enables more effective competition for summer employment and co-op opportunities.
• Classes will not meet daily as they do under the quarter system, so students will have more time between class sessions for project work, review, assignment preparation and seeking assistance on problem areas if necessary.
• The summer term can be flexibly structured into a variety of course options.
• There will be more time for instructor-student interaction.
• Students will return to campus earlier in the fall and be better able to take full advantage of campus life, band and athletic programs, and other fall term activities.

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   Academic advising is critical to ensuring a smooth transition.Undergraduate students who are in the system in Fall 2000 will have earned quarter credit hours. At the end of Summer Quarter 2000, these credit hours will be calculated, mathematically converted to semester credit hours and transferred to the student’s new semester record.
   The total semester credit hours transferred will equal two-thirds of the total quarter credit hours.
   Similarly, the student’s cumulative grade point average will be calculated, converted and transferred to the new semester record at the beginning of Fall 2000. This GPA will match the quarter GPA.

Student degree audit
   Students who are in the transition will apply the course work completed under quarters to the requirements of the semester curriculum and graduate under the semester curriculum.
   Students graduating after Summer 2000 will be audited against semester degree requirements.
   Course requirements will be the basis for assessing student progress; credit hour requirements will be considered secondary.

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   Auburn will institute the semester system in Fall 2000. Semester terms will each run 15 weeks during Fall and Spring and contain 75 class days. Summer term under the semester system will consist of 50 class days spread over a 10-week span.
   The typical summer quarter contains 47 class days, but with classes starting earlier in Fall 2000 (Aug. 22) than they do under the quarter system, the final summer quarter will be only 37 days.
   Summer 2000 classes will run 60 minutes each with 10 minutes between sessions. The class day will start at 7 a.m. and end at 10 p.m. Labs will be scheduled as they are under a typical quarter. Special Saturday lab sessions are scheduled during the term to enable students to meet course requirements.

Summer 2000 Schedule

A.M 7:00 - 8:00 8:10 - 9:10 9:20 - 10:20 10:30 - 11:30 11:40 - 12:40

P.M. 12:50 - 1:50 2:00 - 3:00 3:10 - 4:10 4:20 - 5:20 5:30 - 6:30 6:40 - 7:40 7:50 - 8:50 9:00 - 10:00

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School of Forestry
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School of Pharmacy
212 Pharmacy Bldg.
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College of Sciences
and Mathematics
Extension Cottage
(334) 844-4269

College of
Veterinary Medicine
217 Joy Goodwin Center
(334) 844-2685

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