A motion for a proposed change to the 2019-20 academic calendar was passed during a university Senate meeting on April 3.
Fall semester will now begin on Monday Aug. 26, with the last day of classes on Friday Dec. 6. Spring semester will begin on Monday Jan. 13 with the last day of classes falling on Friday April 23.
Although the motion was approved, a few senators raised concern about the impact this may have on campus. Some departments, like nursing and theater and dance are worried about changing reserved dates for clinicals and performances.
“We’re open to doing a lot of change,” said Jackie Haverkamp, chair of the nursing department. “The sooner we make decisions about these things, the better to make it work.”
Former Otterbein University Student Government President Jeremy Paul also expressed concern about the calendar change.
“Speaking from a student’s experience, to have no real time to come back between Thanksgiving and final [exams] is troublesome,” said Senator Jeremy Paul. “But there are also some benefits with having that extra week to study and get prepared.”
Room and board exceptions will be made for exchange and long-distance students who have already made travel arrangements prior to the calendar change.
“As an out-of-state student, with Thanksgiving and finals being back-to-back, I personally may not be able to go home during that time,” said Senator Brigid Caslin.
Calendars beyond the 2019-20 academic year have yet to be addressed by Senate.
