University of Virginia Library

'4-1-4'

The elimination of undergraduate Saturday
morning classes for the coming fall
semester is the first of a number of overdue
academic administration changes that we
hope to see made. While other schools
have been experimenting with plans to
change semester schedules and classes, the
University has been content to muddle along
with an antiquated system.

There have been some recent rumors
about ending the first semester before the
Christmas break. This would leave the
holidays free from studying and rid us of
the hectic two weeks of classes before
examinations. But why stop there? Why not
initiate a completely new system?

A better solution would be to adopt a
4-1-4 system of subjects. This plan calls
for four subjects in the first "tri-semester."
The classes would include major requirements
as well as a limited number of electives.
The middle period would last for
only one month or equivalent of a full
semester. This is similar to the intensive
summer school study. The shorter period
would be devoted to one subject only,
to be chosen by the student. It would not
be a required subject and would enable
the student to concentrate in a short period
of time exclusively on material of his
choice. It would be primarily an independent
study period-instead of a final examination
or tests there would be just
one research paper. This would be left to
the decision of the instructor. The program
would be even more enticing if the one
subject was put on a pass or fail mark
system instead of a letter grade basis. The
last period would duplicate the first part
of the semester.

The 4-1-4 system is especially attractive
when it is considered that a student could
concentrate on just four subjects instead of
the normal five or more required. The single
study period would be also welcomed by
students in schools outside the College of
Arts and Sciences because they could
devote full attention to an elective in the
liberal arts or, for example, because engineering
school could schedule required
humanities classes in the one slot.

This type system does not necessarily have
to be on a 4-1-4 basis but could be changed
to 3-3-2 or 4-2-4. It would incorporate
the intensity of courses available in summer
school with a freedom of choice in selection
of courses outside a major. If the University
is forward looking and wants to offer
students better opportunities, it could institute
this program on a year's trial basis
beginning next fall. The confusion would
be minimal among students, and the administrators
would only have to handle a
few more forms.

If the plan is adopted, it could be the
best academic innovation since the Honors
program was begun. While the Honors
program incorporates a minority of students,
the 4-1-4 study program would be
in the best interests of the entire University.

C.L.W.