Classes are currently being selected by the colleges for Year Round Operations in the summer semester of 2001.

The YRO classes, which are aided by State University funding much like Fall and Spring courses, will be selected based on different criteria than the independent and self-supporting Regional and Continuing Education classes that are also offered in the winter and summer.

According to Larry Glasmire, assistant vice president for Student Affairs, the YRO classes that are being selected will be courses that were successful during the last summer session and that fit in with set course packages that many departments are using to help students graduate faster. High demand general education courses and courses that state resources will be available for are also included.

“Our expectation is that by summer 2002, full state support will be there to fund all of the courses we want with the summer,” Glasmire said.

The process in selecting the courses will vary between colleges, according to Glasmire. However, there has been concern by faculty over faculty involvement.

Bob Buckley, chair of the Faculty Senate, said that there were originally uncertainties among the faculty that they would be circumvented in the decision making process which will be largely held by deans and other ranking officials, but added that that has not been the case.

“I was really surprised by the very positive approach to this,” said Joseph Sheley, dean of Social Science and Interdisciplinary Studies, who discussed the issue at a Faculty Senate meeting.

Buckley said that current uncertainties of the faculty involve the availability of the basic university resources that are offered during the fall and spring semesters.

Glasmire said that most of the services that students typically need will be available. He said that these included the availability of the Library, food, and Financial Aid offices. He said that the Health Center would also be available in a limited capacity.

To address the needs of the faculty, students and administration, there is a YRO council that is being formed that will be co-chaired by Buckley, Associated Students Incorporated President Jason Bryant, and President Donald Gerth.

“Basically it is a working group of the implementation of YRO,” Bryant said.

The purpose of the council will include the setting of overall goals, objectives and policies, according to a draft provided by ASI.

The council will consist of eight work groups according to the current proposal. The proposed councils will include an operations council which will address the issues of scheduling, enrollment and fee policies, an Associate Deans group whose duties will include course criteria, and a facilities and space planning committee that will address building usage and food services during the summer.

The work groups will consist of administration, students, faculty and staff, Bryant said.

He also said that the council would not be in full capacity for the upcoming summer 2001.

“2002 is a likely time when this will be implemented,” Bryant said.

Glasmire said that fees for both YRO and RCE will be the same. He said that it may amount to about $445 dollars for one to six units and $745 for seven or more units. This amounts to less than the regular spring semester fees which will be $639.50 and $939.50, respectively, because it is without the miscelleneous surcharges for services that are not available during the summer.

“From the students’ perspective, it really is not going to matter whether it is RCE or YRO,” Glasmire said.