UMass students are starting to get itchy. And no it's not because mosquitoes are biting. It's because, as usual, UMass students want summer NOW.
According to an
April 2 article in the Daily Hampshire Gazette, Michael Gargano, UMass chancellor of student affairs and campus life, suggested a change in the academic calendar last academic year. He has proposed starting the spring semester around Jan. 15 instead of Jan. 29, which is about the time the semester has begun for at least the last three decades.
The change would allow UMass students to finish final exams at the same time as other area college students, thus putting them on a level playing field when it comes to applying for summer jobs and internships, officials say.
At the very latest, UMass students now complete their final exams six to 13 days after students at the other four area colleges.
"I've already started packing my stuff up for the summer," said UMass sophomore Jake Dann. "But it's frustrating having weeks of school followed by exams to finish knowing your friends that go to nearby schools like Westfield are already home making money and having fun."
A UMass staff member, who would like to remain anonymous, agrees with Gargano's suggestion. "I think it's a great idea, but the only thing is, you need to look back to the 1970's and the reason why this decision of a longer year was made. Heat was the reason," he said. "During UMass' winter session, we turn the heat off. The expense is so high and it's only going to get worse. If UMass was planning to minimize the year, heat costs in the buildings might be the major reason it doesn't fly."
UMass officials are highly interested in faculty and student reactions or proposals to the suggestion at hand and report that changes to the academic calendar will not go into effect until the 2009-2010 academic school year.
If you are interested in learning more about UMass' proposal to shorten the academic year or the chance to offer your own suggestions, contact the man who will make the final decision himself, Chancellor John Lombardi and let him know what you think. Chancellor Lombardi can be contacted via email:
Lombardi@UMass.Edu.
A local movement in the Pioneer Valley has begun against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) by New Salem, Massachusetts resident MaryAnne Mohamoud. MaryAnne is originally from Somalia in East Africa where 98% of girls and women undergo genital mutilation. This overwhelming number has driven MaryAnne to encourage others to assist in putting an end to this traditional cruelty across Africa and around the world as well as raise awareness in the United States about the lifetime effects of FGM.
