Message to Students
As we prepare to convert to semesters in Summer 2012, the faculty and staff in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) are carefully planning for the effect of the transition on our students. Having gone through curriculum changes before, we have some experience in getting students changed over from one system to the other. In fact, we have always done curriculum change in such a way that students are not disadvantaged by the process. We feel the quality and value of College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences degree programs will be improved by the new semester curricula and the transition will occur without increasing time to degree. We pledge that student progress toward graduation will not be delayed by the conversion to semesters.
There is always uncertainty surrounding change and this is no exception. The College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences finished its program conversion plans in December 2010 and, as of Wednesday, September 7, 2011, all majors in the College under semesters have been approved. Most minors have been approved also.
Advisers and students will need to work closely in the transition. Students graduating Spring 2012 or before should apply for graduation immediately.
Students graduating Summer 2012 through Spring 2013 should meet with their advisers Autumn 2011 and Winter 2012 to prepare an academic plan. Always remember you should apply for graduation a year ahead.
OSU Pledge to Undergraduate Students
In planning and implementing its conversion from quarters to semesters for summer 2012, The Ohio State University is committed to protecting the academic progress of students. Students should find that the shift from quarters to semesters does not disrupt progress toward their degrees if they:
1. decide on their major and degree within a time compatible with four-year graduation;
2. meet the standards for progress defined by their academic unit and continue to complete appropriate course loads successfully; and
3. actively develop and follow academic plans in consultation with their academic advisors.
Students completing a quarter-plus-semester degree program will receive approximately the same amount of instruction, and the changes to the calendar and to courses should only improve the quality of programs. Full-time tuition (general and instructional fees) for an academic year under semesters will not cost more than what tuition would have cost for that same year under quarters, and the change should not adversely affect students’ financial aid.
To ensure that the conversion will not harm students' progress, academic units will continue to provide intentional, purposeful advising. Academic advisors will understand how the changes in courses and curricula may affect students' degree programs, will know where and how programs can be flexible, and will be prepared to assist students in planning their remaining semesters to graduation. Good planning around a student’s major will be particularly important, and the university will provide that support to students who begin their academic career under quarters and complete it under semesters.
Students will vary considerably in their academic progress, and each student's plan for completing degree requirements will need to be determined individually. Every student will be responsible for getting and using the advice essential to assure progress toward his or her degree. Advising is a joint endeavor, and we are confident that students and their advisors, working together, can develop effective plans leading to timely graduation as the university converts to semesters.
