3 Responses to “10 semesters and you’re out”

1. Robert Says:
   February 24th, 2010 at 4:41 pm

   I applaud the University of Texas to place a 10 semester limit (assuming that an academic year is defined by fall & spring semester cycle, OR, fall, winter and spring quarter cycle, excluding summer terms). However, that needs to be conditioned by the university’s policies allowing that 10 semester limit (or 5 years, assuming the above criteria is correct) to be extended, in what the above news flash called “extenuating circumstances.” I would EXPAND that definition to also include undergraduate students needing time off from pursuing their Bachelor’s degree, for military deployments to combat zones (students then would be required to submit deployment orders to the Registrar and those students could resume studies once they are back “home” with no penalties). This would also include National Guard units deployed to natural disaster zones, law enforcement units deployed to danger zones to curtail widespread law-breaking and establish order during times of civil unrest.

   In today’s post-9/11 world, there is also another phenomenon that university’s (and enforce the 10 semester time limit) are addressing that actually began occurring in the years preceeding-the advent of the adult-learner, who are beyond the 18-22 year age-group, common to college student bodies.

   The regionally accredited university (traditional and/or online) has a prospective student (and potential donor) base that is non-traditional in the sense of their age and life experiences. Many of these potential students have incomplete degrees from years passed, or with few and no courses taken in a university setting. This requires advising that caters to this sector, accordingly. A college recruiter, advisor, counselor, etc. would have a different discussion with such a person that inquires with their college.

   Remember, many “baby-boomers” (those born between 1946-1964) range in age from 46-64 years old. There are over 70,000,000 baby-boomers in America! Then, there are the Generation X’ers, most of who are between 25-45. That sector constitutes tens of millions more people. Folks, that is over 1/3 of the American population! You can consult the plethora of sociological studies to find idiosyncracies of these two major population sectors in order to estimate what makes them tick, and for your staff to adapt from and use to help them make the best decisions relative to their degree pursuits. For sure, asking the right questions, then talking less and listening more will be key to success recruiting among these adult learner age-groups. Then, bringing them up to speed on how it is in 2010 and beyond for them to successfully complete their degree, will help them more than you would think. Many (not all) colleges offer a required undergraduate-level course, more or less entitled, “Essentials to Academic Success in the 21st-century.” This requirement can be waived by the University, if the student is deemed competent to resume their studies, or start pursuing their chosen degree.

   And more to the point of this response is that more and more major colleges will be doing what UT is doing, because college is for the willing, diligent, committed, disciplined and ambitious person, who sincerely desires for advancement, not just for employment reasons, but even for personal ones. Like the bumper sticker says, “Lead, follow, or get the hell out of the way!”

   That is an emphatic way of saying that we now live in times where the world is more connected than before, and what you know, understand and can apply in real world settings may determine not only your success in a local and/or global job market, but survival in these changing, uncertain times. This is no time for the faint of heart, lazy, entitled, academically deficient and defiant to rule the day, especially in higher education.

2. Hank Walker Says:
   February 24th, 2010 at 7:39 pm

   Texas A&M took a different approach: flat rate tuition. If you register for 12 or more credit hours, you pay for 15 hours. (If you are a part-time student taking less than 12 credit hours, you pay by the credit). The result has been that the average load taken by students rose from around 12 to around 15, with a corresponding decrease in average graduation time. I think our economic incentive approach is better, since it is very simple to implement and achieves the goal.

3. Kathleen Says:
   February 25th, 2010 at 11:20 am

   We have done something related in that we allow the student to repeat a class once, but after that they must pay much more to take a class. They must pay the actual cost of the class, the unsubsidized cost. One part of the problem was that some students would take a class and withdraw if they did not like the grade they were getting. This prevented new students from taking classes since they were filled by continuing students first. Another problem was students who were not serious about school and and got failing grades until they were suspended.

   This remedy does not address the length of time it takes to complete a degree, nor the problem with multiple changes in majors. It does address students taking up space time after time until they get the grade they wish. It also prevents continued misuse of tax and donor resources.

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