Incoming freshmen attending this summer's Camp War Eagle sessions were the first to receive information about Auburn's planned transition to a semester calendar in the fall of 2000. Camp War Eagle consists of a two-day orientation program for new freshmen and their parents.
"This group of students will be affected by the transition which will take place during the senior year for most of them," said Christine Curtis, coordinator of the quarter-to-semester transition program, and a member of the chemical engineering faculty.
"We want to begin informing them early about what to expect and to encourage them to work closely with their academic advisors throughout their enrollment here at Auburn to ensure they make the transition academically prepared."
AU's board of trustees approved the switch from quarters to semesters about a year ago to comply with a national trend among colleges and universities. Most institutions, including the majority of the two-year schools in Alabama, either are already operating on a semester system or, like AU, are in the transition process, Curtis notes.
Under the semester system:
"The 10-week summer semester with its two 5-week options can be structured into a variety of course options," Curtis notes. "All students, except those enrolled in five-year programs, will have a reasonable opportunity to graduate in four years."
While AU will continue to operate under the quarter system until the fall of 2000, Curtis said semester transition information will soon be available to anyone interested through all academic advisors, deans' offices, and through the university's internet web site at http://www.auburn.edu/academic/provost/semester.