The Senate of The Michigan College of Mining and Technology


PROPOSAL 10-63

TRIMESTER ACADEMIC CALENDAR

It is proposed that the College adopt a trimester academic calendar consisting of three trimesters of approximately 16 weeks duration and concurrently the curricula be revised and consolidated so that all courses, except courses such as PE and ROTC, carry 5 credits and be offered every trimester (except courses such as surveying, forestry summer camp, and geological field trips which require warmer weather); a student to carry a normal load of 3 courses plus PE, ROTC, and other such extra courses.

In these years of great demand for scientists and engineers, a student could graduate under the trimester calendar in 2-2/3 years, thus serving mankind 1-1/2 years longer and earning possibly $10,000 during that time or approximately enough money to pay for his whole education during the now normal 4-year college residence.

If a student chooses, he could, of course, take the four or five years needed for him to graduate by dropping out any trimester he needed or wanted to, working (perhaps on a Co-op plan) one or more trimesters and returning to school.

From the legislature's point of view, such a program would yield better use of physical facilities which are in such short supply, particularly in view of the predicted rapid growth in enrollment.

The program would be more expensive - mostly in the form of increased faculty salaries, since almost all the other costs continue around the calendar, anyway.

The individual faculty member might teach those segments of a course in which he was most interested with other segments being taught by another specialist in the subject matter of that segment.

The students would take only 3 major courses, and thus, be able to concentrate much more on each course. Also, a 16-week course would reduce the pressures of having some sort of an important exam four or five times a week, which frequently happens now.

The vacation breaks, which would normally be at Christmas, near Easter in the spring, and in August, would be the best times for vacations for both the students and the faculty, thus allowing built-up pressures to be relieved before starting a new term.

It might well be easier for both students and faculty members to find work during the trimester they choose to take off - there may be less competition from other schools.


Proposal Defeated by the Senate: 2 March 1965