University's first Summer Semester
set to launch in May

Dr. J. Michael Ortiz, interim provost (left), and Dr. Robert Monke, associate dean of Education, review plans for the campus's first Summer Semester, set to offer courses in May.

For the first time in the university's history, a state-funded year-round academic schedule will be implemented beginning this summer with a pilot program in the School of Education and Human Development.

The pilot project will also tackle the state's teacher shortage problem and could possibly lead to three-year degrees, said Dr. J Michael Ortiz, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.

Ortiz said the university is pressing hard to get the new plan rolling for the first courses in May.

"It seems like it's a very daunting challenge, but year-round school here is an effort to reduce the teacher shortage," Ortiz said. He noted that Fresno State's School of Education and Human Development was recently supported by the CSU in the pilot program.

Fresno State becomes the fifth campus to employ the new calendar that Chancellor Charles Reed has endorsed. CSU campuses that began year-round schedules last year were Los Angeles, Pomona, San Luis Obispo, and Hayward.

The year-round trend has picked up steam recently with a report by the Legislative Analyst's Office recommending the move at colleges and universities as a cost-cutting measure that could also offset the need for new construction.

The legislative report, among other things, also says that most schools are operating far below capacity, citing that Fresno State could handle 2,052 more students than its 1998-99 enrollment.

Ortiz said an inventory of local facilities during summer is in order - pointing out that the campus hosts many summer programs - but the emphasis in Fresno is geared toward addressing the state's teacher shortage.

Dr. Robert Monke, associate dean of the School of Education and Human Development, said about 50 sections have been set up for the Summer Semester 1999, with a student recruitment campaign under way.

"We'll be offering basic teaching credential courses with the primary emphasis on Multiple Subject credentials for elementary teachers," Monke said. "We will also offer coursework for the Single Subject Credential and Special Education Credential programs as well as courses for the fifth year programs."

Monke was not ready to estimate how many students are anticipated for the summer semester. "This is a first-time project and we will need to wait and see how many enroll," he said.

The first courses would start as early as May (some in June) and range in length from three to six weeks.

The school will be employing both tenured and part-time faculty; department chairs will determine final assignments pending enrollment, Monke said.

The university has been exploring related issues, including the process for faculty pay, the availability of the STAR system for registration, and the long-term impact on Extended Education, Ortiz said.