ONE Northwood University

March 14, 2008

Terms-to-Semesters Announcement

During my first year as president, when I visited with all constituencies, I heard comments and engaged in dialogues about terms versus a semester calendar. These discussions were pervasive and compelling enough for me to support the Academic Management Committee’s decision to explore the issue in depth. They recently returned a recommendation that is in the best interest of our students and our University. Northwood University will move to a semester calendar beginning in the fall of 2010 from a quarter hour term calendar system.

The decision was made after several months of extensive study by a faculty-led team. The University’s Officers voted unanimously to accept the recommendation from the multi-disciplinary AQIP Action Project Committee. This study was initiated as a result of university faculty forums over the past several years, conversations with faculty and staff during my first year and feedback generated through the AQIP system portfolio and program review process led by Dr. John Jasinski, our chief academic officer.

The Terms-to-Semesters AQIP Action Project Team was co-chaired by Cheryl Pridgeon, Ph.D., academic dean, Florida, and Lance Lewis, Ph.D., dean of international programs. The committee’s membership was from all campuses and operating units and included both faculty and staff.

The question we must ask ourselves when we make any change: will the proposed change improve the quality of education received by our students and ultimately increase the value of a degree from Northwood University? The study determined a number of positive aspects of the calendar change. Opportunities for in-depth study, expanded extracurricular and internship opportunities, more time for student involvement, increased opportunities for study abroad, easier transitions for transfer and guest students, and reduced processing for registration and financial aid were key benefits cited. This conversion allows for all operating units to follow the same calendar as well as the possibility that students could be finished earlier in the summer in order to take advantage of summer internships and jobs.

Planning for the transition is being led by an Implementation Committee headed by Kayte Aspray, associate academic dean, Michigan, Lea Holland, MIS chair, Texas and Kevin Petrovsky, associate professor of science and Associate Academic Dean, Florida with representatives from all operating units. As part of the process, extensive advising and academic counseling processes are being implemented to meet the needs of current students regarding issues such as degree programs, degree completion requirements and graduation.

We will take good care of our students throughout this process. They are our main concern. Counselors will work closely with them to ensure that their expected graduation dates are not impacted by this conversion process. FAQs and a discussion board will be posted on Blackboard™, a guide for students will be distributed, and the Provosts and Academic Deans on each campus will host forums.

Quality academic delivery is a foundation of Northwood University. Moving to a semester-based calendar ensures that quality and allows us to keep pace with current educational standards and address needed changes for the future.

If you have any questions, concerns, or comments regarding the semester conversion, please do not hesitate to contact me at president@northwood.edu. programs, degree completion requirements and graduation.

Keith A. Pretty, J.D.
President and CEO
Northwood University
4000 Whiting Drive
Midland, MI 48640
989.837.4203 (phone)
989.832.9590 (fax)

March 14, 2008
	Terms-to-Semesters Announcement During my first year as president, when I visited with all constituencies, I heard comments and engaged in dialogues about terms versus a semester calendar. These discussions were pervasive and compelling enough for me to support the Academic Management Committee’s decision to explore the issue in depth. They recently returned a recommendation that is in the best interest of our students and our University. Northwood University will move to a semester calendar beginning in the fall of 2010 from a quarter hour term calendar system. The decision was made after several months of extensive study by a faculty-led team. The University’s Officers voted unanimously to accept the recommendation from the multi-disciplinary AQIP Action Project Committee. This study was initiated as a result of university faculty forums over the past several years, conversations with faculty and staff during my first year and feedback generated through the AQIP system portfolio and program review process led by Dr. John Jasinski, our chief academic officer. The Terms-to-Semesters AQIP Action Project Team was co-chaired by Cheryl Pridgeon, Ph.D., academic dean, Florida, and Lance Lewis, Ph.D., dean of international programs. The committee’s membership was from all campuses and operating units and included both faculty and staff. The question we must ask ourselves when we make any change: will the proposed change improve the quality of education received by our students and ultimately increase the value of a degree from Northwood University? The study determined a number of positive aspects of the calendar change. Opportunities for in-depth study, expanded extracurricular and internship opportunities, more time for student involvement, increased opportunities for study abroad, easier transitions for transfer and guest students, and reduced processing for registration and financial aid were key benefits cited. This conversion allows for all operating units to follow the same calendar as well as the possibility that students could be finished earlier in the summer in order to take advantage of summer internships and jobs. Planning for the transition is being led by an Implementation Committee headed by Kayte Aspray, associate academic dean, Michigan, Lea Holland, MIS chair, Texas and Kevin Petrovsky, associate professor of science and Associate Academic Dean, Florida with representatives from all operating units. As part of the process, extensive advising and academic counseling processes are being implemented to meet the needs of current students regarding issues such as degree programs, degree completion requirements and graduation. We will take good care of our students throughout this process. They are our main concern. Counselors will work closely with them to ensure that their expected graduation dates are not impacted by this conversion process. FAQs and a discussion board will be posted on Blackboard™, a guide for students will be distributed, and the Provosts and Academic Deans on each campus will host forums. Quality academic delivery is a foundation of Northwood University. Moving to a semester-based calendar ensures that quality and allows us to keep pace with current educational standards and address needed changes for the future. If you have any questions, concerns, or comments regarding the semester conversion, please do not hesitate to contact me at president@northwood.edu. programs, degree completion requirements and graduation. Keith A. Pretty, J.D. President and CEO Northwood University 4000 Whiting Drive Midland, MI 48640 989.837.4203 (phone) 989.832.9590 (fax)