Summer Quarter Report
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The Summer Quarter committee has investigated the possibility of converting the current Summer Quarter, a tuition-based, self-sustaining instructional program with approximately 14,000 student enrollments and a state-funded infrastructure, into a regular term with enrollments equal to the academic year with full state-funding. Shaping this discussion were issues of student access and the possibility of increasing the capacity of the University's instruction by significantly enhancing student participation in summer course work.
On balance, the committee recommends that the conversion from the self-sustaining Phase I to the state-funded Phase II full Summer Quarter is an excellent strategy for increasing student access to the University of Washington. This conversion to a full quarter, however, will be a major cultural change for faculty, staff and students of the University. Thus, we recommend that this conversion occur gradually. The present Summer Quarter should remain self-sustaining yet be enhanced in ways that increase faculty and student participation. The transformation to a state-funded, regular quarter in the summer will occur when political, budgetary and student access conditions encourage this outcome.
A two-stage model is proposed for achievement of the transformation of the Summer Quarter from its present arrangement to a full enrollment fourth term:
In Phase I, the Summer Quarter will continue to be administered by the Vice Provost for Educational Outreach. The committee recommends a number of enhancements, including: a 10-week term; fee increases following instead of leading the academic year; increased financial aid; increased compensation for faculty and teaching assistants; and an intensified student recruitment effort. These changes are designed to elicit greater participation in the Summer Quarter of the University's matriculated undergraduate and graduate students, and the professorial faculty as instructors. The annual Summer Quarter contribution to the University's fund balance from summer revenues would decrease.In Phase II, the transition from a self-sustaining, enhanced Summer Quarter to state-funded term will occur over several years when political, budgetary and enrollment demands dictate this outcome. Phase II would require significant funding for additional faculty, student services (including student aid) and capital development to create a term fully equal with the academic year. The administration of Summer Quarter would be moved to the schools and colleges. The tuition plus general fund model would provide the funding and should be considered as part of the UW priorities for the future.
A gradual, two-phase change to a state-funded Summer Quarter will provide a greater chance of success than would a rapid and complete conversion now.
