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Za canes September

T. could be a new semester structure coming to the University

of Northern British Columbia. In fact, it would be pretty new and
unique to North America in general. For those that have already heard, it
is being referred to as the “3-10-10-3” schedule. This sequence of numbers
represents a new style of classes. Currently, classes are most likely to be October
offered in a 13-week format. However, the proposal is to offer the first
three weeks of the September semester as single intensive courses,
followed by the next 10 weeks as slightly condensed courses, where
students take a few classes. The same thing would happen for the first
10 weeks of the second semester, and for the last 3 weeks of the second
semester there would be single intensive courses again. In effect, the November
strategy is to match the intensive courses up with the nicer weather to
infuse more experiential learning into UNBC’s course possibilities. Dr.
Mark Dale, UNBC’s acting President and Provost, says that the decision is
not final, and that plenty of research is still being done, but he points out
that some professors have already put it to the test and it is often summer
courses that are offered in this method. Dale says there are some potential D Q C Q mM b Q [
benefits and real worries which are being weighed. Included in these
worries is the notion that research is much harder to do in shorter spans.
Additionally, scheduling and timetabling will have to be re-arranged.
Potential benefits include the fact that 1st year students could have a sort
of what Dale calls “UNBC 101,” where there is a chance for strong cohort
building and student engagement. He added that how courses are taught
will be different, but could be better in some instances. He lays out a January
potential day plan as morning lectures, and afternoon field work. This will

not be true for all courses, but certainly many could be taught this way.

Dale and Troy Hanschen, UNBC’s registrar, also both see the proposal

as a potential way to attract people to UNBC. They both emphasize the

importance of maintaining the transferability of these courses. Hanschen Ep b ru d [
points out that the regular three credit class has 39 hours of contact to it, U
which would be maintained in the 3 and 10 week courses, only condensed.

This could see students come to UNBC to catch up or finish off some

credits that they’re missing. Moreover, they want to see an expansion of

the places where these courses are offered. Right now, UNBC has a few
campuses, but Dale sees the 3 week intensive courses, especially the ones
focused in the field, as being taught all over Northern BC. M d rch
In any case, Dale wants to see more research to smooth out any potential
“technical difficulties” and would like to see trial run. He remains
enthusiastic about the potential, and points out that it was not too
long ago that some North American universities broke down yearlong

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courses to semester long ones, and believes that has been a progressive Apri

development.