Frequently Asked Questions
You have questions about the Q2S transition. Understood.
If you don't find answers to your questions in this section, let us know.
The Allen Student Help Center, in Baker Center, is your "go to" resource on the Athens campus. If you have a question or need some direction about the Q2S transition, stop in or visit the Center Web site: www.ohio.edu/helpcenter/
Or you can e-mail your question to q2s@ohio.edu. Your question will be directed to the appropriate person for response. If of broad interest the question and answer will be added to the list on this page.
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Who will be affected by the transition to a semester-based academic calendar?
Any student enrolled in the university when the transition takes place in fall 2012, as well as those who enroll after this date will be affected.
Will the financial aid of transition students be altered by the conversion to semesters?
If you are a transition student, you will receive the same financial aid annual amounts per eligibility as established by the awards you receive. However, the amount will be divided between two semesters as opposed to three quarters.
Will my anticipated graduation date change as a result of the transition to a semester-based academic calendar?
No. Ohio University is committed to working with you and all enrolled students on the quarter calendar to ensure all can meet their graduation date. If you are involved in the transition, you can expect to complete your degree in the same number of years under the semester-based academic calendar, assuming that you make acceptable progress in your academic program.
What is the Q2S Transition Team?
The Q2S Transition Team, formed in 2008, was charged with helping the university to articulate its blueprint for the four-year semester conversion process. Members include students, faculty, staff, administrators and the Athens community.
How will this affect what dates classes begin and end?
Under Ohio University's semester-based academic calendar the fall term will open during the last week of August and close in mid-December. There will be a four-week break between fall and spring semester, with spring semester opening date occuring in mid-January. Spring break occurs about the first week of March and the spring semester closes in early May.
What is a transition student?
Any student who is enrolled before fall 2012, but has not yet graduated will be considered a transition student. That simply means that they will complete part of their degree while enrolled under the quarter-based system and part while enrolled under the semester-based system. Ohio University committed to making that process as sooth as possible for all transition students and to ensuring that they are not disadvantaged in the process. (See the Pledge to Students)
This not the first time Ohio University has changed its academic calendar and several other universities and colleges in Ohio are also undergoing the same change. Be assured Ohio University will be prepared to assist you throughout the process.
Will transition students have to take more hours under a semester-based academic calendar?
No. A course conversion process will be put in place that includes a commitment to transition students to maintain the current number of classroom contract hours over teh course of a year. Under both the quarter and the semester academic calendar, the academic year is approximately 30 weeks in additionto summer sessions. Our quarter calendar comprises three 10-week quarters and two summer sessions, while the semester calendar wil comprise two semesters and two summer sessions. The overall classroom contact hours (actual time spent in classroom instruction) will remain the same over the course of an entire academic year.
When will Ohio University transition from a quarter- to a semester-based academic calendar?
Fall 2012 will be the effective conversion term to begin a semester-based academic calendar. If you graduate before fall 2012 you should not be affected by the transition. However, if you do not graduate by fall 2012, you will be a transition student -- be assured that Ohio University will make every effort to ensure tha the process is as seamless for you as possible and has made a commitment that students will not be disadvantaged in the process. (See the Pledge to Students)
What is the difference between a quarter- and semester-based academic calendar?
Under both the quarter and semester academic calendars, the academic year is approximately 30 weeks in addition to summer sessions of varying lengths. Our quarter calendar comprises three 10-week quarters and two summer sessions, while the semester calendar comprises two semesters and two summer sessions. The overall classroom contact hours (actual time spent in instruction) will remain the same over the course of an entire academic year.
Why is Ohio University moving from a quarter- to a semester-based academic calendar?
Many current Ohio University students prefer the present quarter system. Students often point to the advantages of having shorter periods of instruction and an academic calendar that provides a long winter break. Most currently enrolled students will finish out their degrees with these advantages in place. The conversion will have the most significance for students who are enrolled at the university beginning in fall 2012.
The creation of the University System of Ohio in March 2008, with strong bipartisan support across the state, has already ensured that the education of future Ohio University students will be different in many ways than the education of current Ohio University students.
One of the major goals of the University System of Ohio is to create new academic opportunities that allow students to take advantage of the resources of state universities regardless of the location of their home institution. When a student at Ohio University would like to take a class that is not offered at our institution the University System of Ohio wants to enable that student, through the use of distance education technology, to have access to that course at another Ohio university. The University System of Ohio also aims to build new degree programs that span institutions. A common calendar is the first step in creating new and important opportunities for future generations of Ohio University students.
Although future students of the university will not enjoy the advantages of shorter periods of instruction or a long winter break, they will have opportunities that current Ohio University students do not have, such as:
- Additional class time for the faculty to explore in greater depth the topics of study. This also gives students more time to absorb the class material and build a more solid base of knowledge to assist in future classes and careers. It is often hard to finish major projects and papers in 10 weeks. Semesters give students greater breathing room in doing more in-depth work.
- The chance to be more competitive for internships and permanent positions because of an earlier end to the academic year.
- Greater ease of transfer between institutions and academic exchange programs, with an academic calendar consistent with the majority of colleges and universities in the United States, in Ohio, and around the world.
Will tuition and fees be higher under a semester-based academic calendar?
No. The cost to attend Ohio University for an entire academic year is unaffected by the academic calendar. Tuition and fees, as well as financial aid and scholarships, will be divided between two semesters versus three quarters in an academic year. Ohio University will continue to offer a monthly payment plan that will allow students and their families the ability to budget education expenses over the course of an academic year.
