Provost continuing conversation about possible J-Term

Jay Akridge, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs and diversity, is hosting a second campuswide conversation about the possibility of adding a January Term to the academic calendar. The virtual conversation is scheduled for 2-3 p.m. April 14. All faculty, staff and students are encouraged to join.

“We received very helpful feedback from faculty, staff and students over the course of the semester on the J-Term proposal and especially since the conversation event last month,” Akridge says. “During this conversation, we’ll talk about how we’ve incorporated the feedback, and respond to any additional questions or concerns.”

The panelists for the April 14 conversation are:

• Jay Akridge, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs and diversity.
• Kris Wong Davis, vice provost for enrollment management (chair).
• Marion Underwood, dean, College of Health and Human Sciences (co-chair).
• Jenna Rickus, vice provost for teaching and learning.
• Erik Otarola-Castillo, chair, University Senate Educational Policy Committee; assistant professor, anthropology.

The four-week January Term would allow students to take courses needed to progress toward their degrees, study abroad, enroll in immersive experiences, or take courses in subjects of interest that don’t fit into their normal semester schedule. Undergraduate and graduate J-Term courses could be offered through face-to-face, online or hybrid instruction. The proposed January Term would be managed much like the summer session and would be completely optional and voluntary for both students and instructors.

Visit the J-Term website to read the most up-to-date proposal, answers to frequently asked questions, submit new questions and join the virtual conversation.