Intersession Successful

During winter break, Wright State students had the opportunity to take classes that could last up to four weeks. This was known as the Winter Intersession. From November 28 to December 22, students were able to register for classes that ranged from developmental to nursing.

Most classes offered were classes that are hard to register for during regular quarters, like COM152.

Another benefit of the intersession is that it helped students decrease their class load for winter quarter.

"I was already scheduled to take 20 credit hours during winter quarter and would not have been able to take an additional class," said Heather Ward, a first year graduate student majoring in education. "Also, the class I took is one that is difficult to get into during the regular quarter."

With that opportunity in mind, would students be willing to give up four weeks of winter break and jump at the chance of getting some classes out of the way?

While the majority of Wright State students spent six weeks of winter break happily away from the books and lectures, others chose to spend half of their break in classrooms catching up or getting ahead with their education.

Despite having to learn a ten week course in four weeks, the intersession seemed to be a success. "I was very pleased with how the intersession went," said Ann Biswas, a professor in the communication department who taught COM152 for the intersession.

"Students seemed genuinely eager to participate and glad to have the opportunity to get a few credits out of the way or take a class that was hard to get into during the regular quarters."

A class like COM152 is very popular due to the fact that it is not only geared toward communication majors, but others, such as education majors, are also required to take the course.

As always, there is a downside to having a class for a short period of time. During the intersession Biswas stated that she had 27 enrolled and, even though eight did not show up, she was not able to sign in students who wanted to take the class after the first and second day of class.

After the four-week trial, one might wonder if the intersession comes back next winter to give students the option of taking classes. "Yes, I believe they are evaluating the success of the intersession," said Biswas, "and looking into ways of further developing and enhancing course offerings."

For students like Ward, how does she feel about the second chance of taking another intersession? "I probably will not have a need to take another intersession class," she said, "but I do wish the option had been available sooner."