THE UNIVERSITY have revealed plans to potentially convert the academic year from the traditional three term timetable to an American-style two 15-week semesters.
Pro-Vice Chancellor for Teaching and Learning, John Robinson, has also proposed a shift in teaching hours, meaning that lectures on Heslington West would begin at 9am and on Heslington East at 9.30am.
The University Teaching Committee have yet to make a final decision, but it is expected that if the plans were to go ahead we could see timetabling changes as early as next year. Semesterisation would come in after 2014.
The staggering of teaching hours between Heslington East and West will make it easier for courses to be located across both campuses.
Moving the start time on Heslington East back to 9.30am is also likely to ease transport difficulties some students have reported since the cancellation of the number 4 bus service between the two campuses.
John Robinson spoke to Vision about the plans.
“We’ve taken a hard look at the practicalities of introducing a half-hour offset between the Heslington East timetable and the rest of the University.
“I’m now bringing to University Teaching Committee (UTC) a proposal that we move to on-the-hour starts for lectures/seminars/labs/etc. everywhere except Heslington East, and half-past-the-hour starts at Heslington East. This replaces our quarter-past-the-hour offset with start times that are simpler to schedule.”
He went on to explain the semesterisation proposal.
“There’s a University Teaching Committee working group that has now met twice, looking at the structure and schedule of the academic year. The group has considered issues like workload, placement and length of the common assessment period, weeks 8-10 of summer term, the needs of visiting students and so on. We looked at possible adjustments to the shape of the academic year.
“We are now surveying the university sector to look at models that are used elsewhere.”
Several other high ranking universities have already adopted the semester system including St Andrews and Bath University.
The plans have divided student opinion.
Third year student Heather Wills approved of the shift to semesterisation.
“I think it’s a good thing as it will put us in line with other universities. It’s also going to benefit the sports teams as they currently have fewer weeks than other universities to play matches and have to catch up on these missed games later.”
However, Law student Katie Coates expressed dismay saying: “No! Three ten week terms split the year nicely and we finish early enough for summer as it is.”
Speaking to Vision, YUSU Academic Officer Graeme Osborn said: “The proposed changes could make timetabling a lot easier and produce a better timetable for students.
“We have to make sure that the needs of students with children or dependents and those who have to travel to and from York are taken into account when deciding what time to start the teaching day.
“We are discussion the possibility of moving to semesters at Academic Assembly (Tuesday, 6:30 in Your Space). I think it’s a very important discussion and it is vital that students are engaged because it would fundamentally change how students at York experience university.”