A Year-Round University Makes Sense

In spite of the forward-thinking, cutting-edge ideas associated with our colleges and universities, it is surprising that California’s higher education system still uses a 19th-century system in a 21st-century society.

Traditionally, students in the agrarian society would break from their studies in the summer to work in the fields during the harvest season. The annual school schedules that we have today were tailored to recognize this practice. As we enter the technological 21st century, we need to update our higher education system to meet society’s demands.

The state’s public universities should adopt a complete year-round operation schedule that would create a third summer semester or a fourth summer quarter with full academic course offerings. This would increase the class options for students, creating more flexibility and class availability. Ultimately, students could reduce the time it took to graduate and enter the job market.

The California Postsecondary Education Commission (CPEC) has estimated that by 2005, enrollment at our colleges and universities will grow by nearly a half-million students. Furthermore, CPEC asserts that current college and university facilities utilizing traditional financing and delivery methods can provide only half of the estimated cost of this future enrollment demand.

A year-round university system is a prudent solution that would benefit students, parents, taxpayers, universities and the state. This is why I have introduced Assembly Bill 126, which would require the California State University and University of California systems to establish a year-round operation. Kindergarten through 12th-grade schools have utilized year-round schedules for years. California has the most students in the country who participate in a K-12 year-round program, increasing the capacity to educate students with existing facilities. The same principle could apply at the university level.

This system would benefit students. Progress toward a degree would be accelerated because more classes would be available each year than would be possible otherwise, given space limits. A full summer term would also provide flexibility. Some students could possibly graduate in as little as three years.

*

Cal State Northridge estimates that 70% of its students have full-time or part-time jobs. A seamless scheduling system would provide more classes and decrease demand in impacted majors, especially benefiting working students.

A year-round operation would also benefit the communities and businesses near a university. These businesses traditionally have a tremendous drop-off in summer sales, causing some to shut down during the slow months. With a campus operating year-round, the local economy would be bolstered by the additional sales tax revenues.

The UC and the Cal State systems should welcome a policy of year-round operation. According to a report by the Cal State system, year-round operations would maximize the number of students served and minimize duplication of departmental overhead expenses, especially in popular disciplines such as business, social sciences and education. The report also found no substantial cost differences for administering a summer semester versus fall or spring terms.

*

At the beginning of every new semester in public universities across the state, students scramble to get into overcrowded classes. Waiting lists are the norm for many required courses, and parents often hear from their children, “I’m not going to graduate in four years. I couldn’t get into my classes,” or, “My major is impacted. I hope to graduate in five years.” The UC system has made progress in ensuring that three-quarters of the students who enter as freshmen graduate within six years. The year-round university would guarantee even greater progress.

The year-round university makes sense. California can accommodate more students, particularly at the most popular UC campuses, such as UC Berkeley and UCLA. Students with more options might graduate sooner, endure less frustration over impacted classes and take advantage of the more flexible annual scheduling options. Local businesses would welcome a steady population at the university and local communities would benefit from stable revenues.

The year-round university is clearly the path that California’s higher education system should be following as it strives to meet the increased demands of the 21st century.