Frequently Asked Questions
Alternative Academic Calendar Committee (AACC)
1. What is a “compressed calendar”?
Compressing a calendar means altering the academic schedule from an 18-week semester to a 17- or 16-week semester (the minimum mandated by California Ed Code) without loss of instructional time in the classroom. Most community colleges convert to 16-week semesters to better align their academic calendars with those of 4-year institutions.
According to the most recent data published by the State Chancellor’s Office, 65 of
the 114 California Community Colleges have converted to a compressed calendar while
46 colleges (including Chabot and Las Positas Colleges) have remained with the traditional
17.5-week academic calendar. Three CCCs are on the quarter system. No colleges have
shifted back to a traditional academic calendar from a compressed academic calendar.
2. Why are we considering a compressed calendar at Chabot and Las Positas Colleges?
Discussions about a possible conversion to a compressed academic calendar for CLPCCD colleges have taken place over the years. Recently, the Faculty Association has heard from substantial numbers of unit members at both colleges strongly urging us to engage in this study. In 2022, in line with provisions of the Faculty Association agreement with the District, an Alternative Academic Calendar Committee was formed to examine in detail the benefits and liabilities involved with any modification to the standard 17.5-week primary term.
Community Colleges that have adopted a 16-week semester consistently report between 1 and 2% increase in student retention and success. Some colleges offer a winter intersession, allowing students to fast-track their academic studies. The 16-week semester more closely aligns with many UC and CSU formats, facilitating the transition of transfer students. Research indicates that the compressed calendar offers greater convenience for students who are concurrently enrolled at more than one institution.
Colleges that have converted to the compressed calendar report overall satisfaction
with increased scheduling flexibility. Faculty and administrators report that they
appreciate the additional time to prepare for classes, process grades, and bring closure
to previous term activities before the start of the next academic term.
3. How would the new schedule affect instructional time?
Conversion to a compressed academic calendar requires that we develop a schedule of
classes that replicates as closely as possible the same amount of instructional time
for each course that we have under the current semester length. If a three-unit class
currently meets for 54 hours per semester (3 hours x 18 weeks = 54 hours), in the
compressed schedule the class would still meet for 54 hours, but the schedule would
require more instructional time per week. The same calculation would be applied to
the lab portion of any class. Class hours may include one 10-minute break per hour,
and the need for 10 minutes of passing time would also be calculated into the schedule.
4. How would class times be affected?
Scheduling of courses must be consistent with the class hours indicated in the approved
course outline of record for completion of the course. We are evaluating compressed
calendar schedules at a number of community colleges in California to identify a model
that would best fit CLPCCD. Individual class schedules must be based on five-minute
increments for starting and ending times. As an example, a 3-unit class that now meets
for 17.5 weeks from 9:00 am to 10:15 am two days per week, with 10:15 to 10:25 allowed
for passing time, would meet for 16 weeks from 9:00 am to 10:25 am with 10:25 to 10:35
for passing time. We would still have at least 10 minutes of passing time between
classes.
5. How would lab times be affected?
The same method used to calculate minutes of instruction for lecture classes can be
applied to lab classes to determine how the schedule would be different under a compressed
calendar. The calculated time may be different depending on if the lab meets one,
two or more times per week.
6. Would the change to fewer instructional days affect our paychecks?
No. Since no instructional time is lost under a compressed calendar our paychecks
would not be affected.
7. Would the change to fewer instructional days affect retirement through STRS?
No, the compressed calendar would not affect STRS retirement.
8. Would we still have a finals schedule?
In converting to a compressed academic calendar, some colleges vote to eliminate the
finals template and hold exams during the last week of instruction. Most colleges
moving to a 16-week semester vote to offer finals during the 16th week of the semester.
If we proceed toward adopting a compressed calendar, we will need to determine the
best option for CLPCCD.
9. Would faculty have to change their syllabi?
Yes, the syllabus for each course would need to be changed to reflect the different
number of class sessions.
10. Would course outlines need to be changed?
No, the curriculum, unit value, and student learning outcomes would all remain the
same under a compressed calendar.
11. Would there be a winter intersession?
We will have to evaluate this for CLPCCD. There is no requirement that a winter intersession
be offered. Some colleges have added a winter intersession as a way to offer students
a chance to take additional classes during the academic year. It would also offer
additional employment opportunities for faculty. Impact on workload in support services
will be an important consideration during this evaluation.
12. Would summer session be longer?
It is possible that a longer summer session could be offered, but that will be a function
of the discussion and negotiations which would follow a decision to move to a compressed
calendar.
13. Could we have 3 trimesters of equal length instead of 2 semesters and shorter intersessions?
Yes. However, this is not a popular option. The State mandates that we teach 32 to
35 weeks per year, and will not pay us for more. This means we can divide the schedule
into two terms, resulting in two 16 to 17.5-week semesters; or we can divide the schedule
into three terms, resulting in three 11.67-week trimesters (usually called quarters).
Summer session is not considered an additional term; FTES generated during the summer
is applied to either the spring or fall term. The State has not received an application
for a district to move to a trimester academic calendar, but three community colleges
have been approved for the quarter system (Lake Tahoe Community College, Foothill
College, and De Anza College).
14. Would there be a Spring break?
Some colleges have determined that student motivation is negatively affected by spring
break and have opted to move the week off to another time. For example, Mt. San Antonio
College voted to eliminate Spring Break in order to accommodate a 10-week winter intersession.
We will need to evaluate the best scheduling scenario for CLPCCD.
15. Could we include a “college hour” in the schedule to accommodate extracurricular activities
for students?
In order to decide whether a college hour is feasible for CLPCCD, we will need to
evaluate a variety of potential schedules and look at overall facility use. Some departments
may be able to adjust class schedules around a college hour and others may not. We
will also evaluate the demand for extracurricular activities and meetings during this
time.
16. What implications does this calendar have for counselors and librarians?
Some colleges have found that a compressed calendar gives librarians and counselors
greater flexibility in offering services to students, faculty, and staff. For example,
with an extended January break, students would have more time before the beginning
of the spring semester to meet with a counselor and develop an academic plan. If we
lengthen the summer session or add a winter intersession, we would need to change
the counselors’ schedule and expand library hours.
17. What implications does this calendar have for classified staff?
Although classified professionals would experience no reduction in their regular annual
work schedule resulting from a move to a compressed calendar, the implications for
change in their workload timing patterns need to be carefully studied in evaluating
the pros and cons of such a move. We are taking the approach of a multi-year, multi-phased
study in order to examine all implications including this important aspect.
18. Are student fees/tuition for the shorter terms the same as those for the full semesters?
Yes. All fees remain the same from term to term unless there are changes imposed by
the State of California.
19. Would a compressed calendar affect our flex activities?
Possibly, but this is a function of planning discussions and negotiations. Some colleges vote to move flex days to the beginning or end of the semester, since placing them within the primary terms has the effect of lengthening the instructional year for students with no instructional benefit for them. We need to evaluate the best practice for CLPCCD as we consider a possible move to a compressed academic calendar.
Note: The Resources page of this website includes documents and research references related to citations in several of the above questions and answers.