ONE Northwood University

April 11, 2008

Terms to Semesters, Chapter 2

Northwood Colleagues,

The decision has been made and the news has been communicated. Changing a university’s academic calendar is no small feat. Just as thorough as the discussions and studies were that preceded the decision, the implementation of changing to semesters requires equal diligence.

It is amazing what is affected. We’re going from 30 weeks of instruction over three terms to 30 weeks delivered in two semesters and just about everything needs adjusting!

Curricula, textbooks, class scheduling, course requirements, course loads–certainly all things academic; housing needs, out-sourced contractors, food service, grounds, athletic scheduling, summer camps, internships, study abroad, the list seems endless.

We have a great Semester Transition Team (STT) committed to making everything come together. Each operating unit of Northwood is represented on the committee, making this endeavor a working example of our ONE Northwood initiative. The Executive Board has three co-chairs–Kayte Aspray, Lea Holland, and Kevin Petrovsky. Mike Anguiano, Tina Brisbois, Jamie Burns, Theresa Dennings, Julie Hanna, Justin Harmon, Susan Ridgway, Lisa Seals, and Dan Toland make up the rest of the Executive Board. Curriculum Development is in the capable hands of Jamie Burns (leader), Howard Borck, and Mike Tuttle. In charge of Transition Curriculum Development are Sabine Adams, Grace Porche, Robert Harris, Ed Howell, Dawn Musgrave-Demarest, Tara Peters, Cheryl Pridgeon, Rene Rojas, and Patty Shaw, with Kayte Aspray leading the group.

The transition is about more than making our current classes fit into a new schedule. The following excerpts from the April 2008 AQIP in Action Academic Newsletter challenge us to a higher standard:

“...we should be asking can a change to semesters allow us to think about delivering our general education package in new and innovative ways? Can we explore various elective choices within our agreed upon areas of study?”; “…from an AQIP perspective – let’s ensure we use a plan-do-study-act approach as we consider all elements related to the change. We are empowering our colleagues to think through our current processes and offerings and ensure they meet and exceed requirements of our students …”; “…best practice thinking …”; “This is an opportunity for programs and majors to reflect on their overall package of offerings …”; “This is an opportunity for us to think differently about learning outcomes not necessarily based on seat time.”; “We, therefore, cannot and must not be constrained by the past …”; “We must allow our STT and work groups to operate in an open environment – one in which we question our current processes and offerings …”; “Let’s remain entrepreneurial and practice what we teach - … to ensure Northwood’s differentiators are clear and compelling!”

Quality communication is vital for the transition to proceed smoothly. Open forums will be held on each campus during the week of May 5, 2008. We want students to leave campus for the summer with their questions answered and their concerns addressed. We also want them to understand the change to semesters in no way compromises their Northwood education.

What is unique and strong about Northwood University does not lie in the number of weeks in which a class is taught. Northwood’s unique philosophy, our outcomes and code of ethics, our emphasis on experiential learning, and, most importantly, the delivery of the strongest business education we can deliver is what we are all about.

Internally, we know the change to semesters will only enhance what is happening in the classroom. The Semester Transition Team is committed to a smooth, timely, and effective conversion to semesters. More than that, they are utilizing the concepts of AQIP to use this transition as an opportunity to examine our academic offerings with an eye to exceeding requirements.

The members of the STT are doing very important work. I salute them for the hard work that lies ahead and their willingness to tackle this critical endeavor.

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

pretty@northwood.edu

April 11, 2008
	Terms to Semesters, Chapter 2 Northwood Colleagues, The decision has been made and the news has been communicated. Changing a university’s academic calendar is no small feat. Just as thorough as the discussions and studies were that preceded the decision, the implementation of changing to semesters requires equal diligence. It is amazing what is affected. We’re going from 30 weeks of instruction over three terms to 30 weeks delivered in two semesters and just about everything needs adjusting! Curricula, textbooks, class scheduling, course requirements, course loads–certainly all things academic; housing needs, out-sourced contractors, food service, grounds, athletic scheduling, summer camps, internships, study abroad, the list seems endless. We have a great Semester Transition Team (STT) committed to making everything come together. Each operating unit of Northwood is represented on the committee, making this endeavor a working example of our ONE Northwood initiative. The Executive Board has three co-chairs–Kayte Aspray, Lea Holland, and Kevin Petrovsky. Mike Anguiano, Tina Brisbois, Jamie Burns, Theresa Dennings, Julie Hanna, Justin Harmon, Susan Ridgway, Lisa Seals, and Dan Toland make up the rest of the Executive Board. Curriculum Development is in the capable hands of Jamie Burns (leader), Howard Borck, and Mike Tuttle. In charge of Transition Curriculum Development are Sabine Adams, Grace Porche, Robert Harris, Ed Howell, Dawn Musgrave-Demarest, Tara Peters, Cheryl Pridgeon, Rene Rojas, and Patty Shaw, with Kayte Aspray leading the group. The transition is about more than making our current classes fit into a new schedule. The following excerpts from the April 2008 AQIP in Action Academic Newsletter challenge us to a higher standard: “...we should be asking can a change to semesters allow us to think about delivering our general education package in new and innovative ways? Can we explore various elective choices within our agreed upon areas of study?”; “…from an AQIP perspective – let’s ensure we use a plan-do-study-act approach as we consider all elements related to the change. We are empowering our colleagues to think through our current processes and offerings and ensure they meet and exceed requirements of our students …”; “…best practice thinking …”; “This is an opportunity for programs and majors to reflect on their overall package of offerings …”; “This is an opportunity for us to think differently about learning outcomes not necessarily based on seat time.”; “We, therefore, cannot and must not be constrained by the past …”; “We must allow our STT and work groups to operate in an open environment – one in which we question our current processes and offerings …”; “Let’s remain entrepreneurial and practice what we teach - … to ensure Northwood’s differentiators are clear and compelling!” Quality communication is vital for the transition to proceed smoothly. Open forums will be held on each campus during the week of May 5, 2008. We want students to leave campus for the summer with their questions answered and their concerns addressed. We also want them to understand the change to semesters in no way compromises their Northwood education. What is unique and strong about Northwood University does not lie in the number of weeks in which a class is taught. Northwood’s unique philosophy, our outcomes and code of ethics, our emphasis on experiential learning, and, most importantly, the delivery of the strongest business education we can deliver is what we are all about. Internally, we know the change to semesters will only enhance what is happening in the classroom. The Semester Transition Team is committed to a smooth, timely, and effective conversion to semesters. More than that, they are utilizing the concepts of AQIP to use this transition as an opportunity to examine our academic offerings with an eye to exceeding requirements. The members of the STT are doing very important work. I salute them for the hard work that lies ahead and their willingness to tackle this critical endeavor. Keith A. Pretty, J.D. President and CEO Northwood University 4000 Whiting Drive Midland, MI 48640 989.837.4203 (phone) 989.832.9590 (fax) pretty@northwood.edu