Since 2008, BYU–Hawaii has been developing and implementing a year-round calendar in line with the Board-directed imperatives to continue to improve quality, lower costs to students and the university, and serve more students. A new approach developed over the past several months, called Nine Semesters in Residence, supports the year-round calendar yet provides flexibility for students with varying circumstances. Through a series of informational forums and question-and-answer sessions held this week, principles and associated practices and policies were outlined that underscore the reasons and benefits of graduating in nine semesters. Additional information is also available online at academics.byuh.edu/9SIR.
Graduating with nine semesters in residence allows students more flexibility than a three-year graduation policy and gives opportunity for more students to attend BYU–Hawaii. “We must continually find ways to live up to the imperatives given to us as a university, to continue to improve quality, continue to lower costs, and serve more students,“ said President Steven C. Wheelwright. With these guiding principles in mind, President Wheelwright said we must maximize campus utilization to provide more opportunities for more students.
Max Checketts, vice president of academics, explained the different scenarios possible for students to plan their path to graduation. He clarified that all students scheduled to graduate in 2012, and most scheduled to graduate in 2013, will not have to make any adjustments to their major academic plans (MAP). Those graduating in 2014 and beyond should work closely with their Academic Advisors to plan their nine-semester path to graduation. In addition, policies for on-campus housing and institutional financial aid are largely the same as they have been for the last few years. It is important to note that these requirements do not apply to U.S. federal student loans and grants.
For more information and specific policies related to Nine Semesters in Residence, visit academics.byuh.edu/9SIR. Students are encouraged to work with their Academic Advisors with specific questions related to their individual circumstances.