In planning and implementing its conversion from quarters to semesters for summer 2012, The Ohio State University is committed to protecting the academic progress of students. Students should find that the shift from quarters to semesters does not disrupt progress toward their degrees if they:

1. decide on their major and degree within a time compatible with four-year graduation;
2. meet the standards for progress defined by their academic unit and continue to complete appropriate course loads successfully; and
3. actively develop and follow academic plans in consultation with their academic advisors.

Why is this happening?

The conversion is the result of a directive from the Ohio Board of Regents and affects twenty 2 and 4 year Ohio colleges and universities that are currently on the quarter system, including: Ohio University, University of Cincinnati, Wright State University, Columbus State Community College, Sinclair Community College, Otterbein College, Clark State Community College, and others.  The reasons are many but the main benefits to students are:

• The chance to be more competitive for internships and permanent positions because of an earlier end to the academic year.
• Greater ease of transfer between institutions and academic exchange programs, with an academic calendar consistent with the majority of colleges and universities in Ohio, the United States, and around the world.

When will the semester system be implemented?

The new semester system will become effective Summer, 2012.  All of OSU will convert at the same time.

SCHEDULE

Seminars are 11:00AM to noon on Friday
Kottman 244 / Fisher 121

April 9 - Mario R. Morales, Director, Medicinal Botanicals Program, Mountain State
University
“Studying Medicinal Plants in Appalachia”

April 16 - Dr. Alan Kalish, Director, University Center for the Advancement of Teaching, Ohio State University
"Course and Curriculum Design for Semesters"

April 23 - Jennifer Lau, Assistant Professor, Kellogg Biological Station and Dept. of Plant Biology, Michigan State University
“The Importance of Community Ecology to Evolution: How species interactions influence adaptation to novel environments”

April 30 - David Francis, OSU Department of Horticulture & Crop Science
"Integrating Research, Education, and Extension in the Solanaceae Coordinated Agricultural Project"

May 7 - Richard Cooper, USDA-ARS Soybean breeder (retired)
“An Introduction to the Academic Politics in Agricultural Research”

May 14 -  Dr. Jeff Sharp, Associate Professor, Human and Community Resource Development
"Why Local Foods:  Background on a Movement"

May 21 - Alvaro Calonje, Horticultural Consultant, Landscape Designer, and Director of the Dolmestch Arboretum, Cali, Colombia
"The Creation of Private Reserves and their Potential for Conservation in the Tropics”

May 28 - Nick Basta, Professor of Soil and Environmental Chemistry, OSU School of Environment and Natural Resources
"Urban Gardening and Soil Lead: Assessment and Solutions"

June 4 - Dennis Ray, Univ of Arizona
“A Tale of Two Crops: Guayule and Sweet Sorghum"