An Overnight Success Several Years in the Making
THE “WHY”
“Decreased time to degree without increasing cost or time.”
Odessa College began their journey in fall 2014 by converting 80% of their courses from a 16-week semester to two 8-week terms. The journey began with a conversation between the president and the faculty senate chair, focused on the significance and usefulness of a 16-week semester structure in today’s higher education setting. They recognized that students experienced much more success during the shorter “flex terms” offered at the college and wondered whether they could replicate that format and outcome for all students at Odessa College.
For many students who attend Odessa, their lives revolve around the oil and gas industry. Employment security depends on the economy. The college felt that offering more flexibility in how they offered courses would provide more options to students. Their data pointed to the fact that fatigue and disruption caused by life barriers were a real issue for the momentum of their students, despite the effective programming already in place at the college. The college felt that if students took fewer courses, they would have less to focus on at one time and would lose fewer credits if they needed to temporarily stop out. In order to try and create momentum and reduce the enrollment-to-degree duration without increasing overall time or cost, the college felt that a shift to 8-week terms would serve their students best.