In a recent publishing in Bridgewater College's own "Veritas" newspaper, the front page article immediately caught my attention. The headline and story by Katie Hinders stated "Interterm Slated to Move to May" explaining "The Bridgewater College administration has proposed major changes to Interterm and the academic calendar starting as soon as the 2017-2018 year." Then it goes on by saying "The three-week period known as Interterm is set to move to May, after graduation." Although this is just a proposal of these changes that may or may not take place, it is up in the air. It also says in the article that "The switch is not yet final, but will be discussed at the annual Board of Trustees meeting on Nov 3rd and 4th" Hinders also put forth. 

This supposed change will take place fall of 2017/spring of 2018 school year.

Not only is this a huge change, but this will most likely affect many Bridgewater students who are trying to graduate on time. It is hard enough as it is to register for classes that each individual student needs in order to graduate (with only a certain amount of seats in each class, with the rarity of a wait list override) , and with Interterm being potentially moved, this is another road bump for BC students. If this change is confirmed and is put into action, personally, I will be affected and will be 3 credits short to be exact to graduate in May of 2018, ON TIME (after I take summer school classes during summer 2017 giving me the ability to graduate a year early and save money)  Then having to take 1 class for interterm after missing receiving my diploma at May graduation. Then after graduation, coming back to school for Interterm in May. (See update on 10/25)

I fear this will happen for other Bridgewater students as well. With all of this being said, these potential changes could impact the way we graduate and our summer schedules. 

This is what the school thinks will benefit us from moving Interterm to May:

- Help school financially  

- Interterm opportunities will be expanded since it will be over the summer

- It will prevent Freshman from transferring (retention efforts)

 

- Spring semester will start January 9th instead of January 4th

- Having a May Interterm will "bring interterm back to its roots" 

- Creates more opportunities for Travel courses in Interterm

 

From a student standpoint Interterm being moved to May can affect: 

- Getting a summer job (in which some people get to help pay for tuition)

- Drastic changes in summer schedule 

- The decline of students in actuality attending Interterm during the summer

- Graduation time (receiving diploma wise)

- Class changes

-Most likely not a lot of interest from athletes will be taking advantage of the possibility of doing a travel course for interterm since May is in the summer (ODAC tournaments) 

-Regardless of school, anyone can transfer. Freshman year is when you learn if a school is right for you or not. No school should force a student to like a given school. If it's a good fit, Great! If not, then there is always an option to transfer

-Having a May Interterm will probably decrease the attendance of students because of this inconvenience of it cutting into summer and other activities

For more information from the article directly, visit this link: http://bcvoice.wixsite.com/bcvoice/single-post/2016/10/24/Interterm-Slated-to-Move-to-May

With your help, we can stop these proposed changes with a student body voice