The university's Calendar Study Task Force voted in late May to recommend that the university remain on the quarter system. The committee of faculty, staff, students, regional campus representatives and community members voted 19 to 8 with one abstention in favor of remaining on the quarter system. The panel had been studying the possibility of changing to another academic calendar since fall quarter.

Provost Sharon Brehm, who chaired the task force, said the committee found no compelling academic reason to change to a semester system or any other academic calendar.

"There is no evidence that there is any effect of either the quarter or the semester system on learning," Brehm said. "That's what we were looking for: Is there a compelling reason for change? The notion was you don't just go out and make a change like this for no reason. You need to have a reason and you need to have a rationale."

President Robert Glidden supported the task force recommendations, agreeing with the conclusion that "the money required to make a calendar change could be better spent on other university activities and initiatives."

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