The committee of faculty, staff, students, regional campus representatives and community members voted 19 to 8 with one abstention in favor of remaining on the quarter system. The panel had been studying the possibility of changing to another academic calendar since fall quarter. Provost Sharon S. Brehm, who chaired the task force, said the committee found no compelling academic reason to change to a semester system or any other academic calendar. There is no evidence that there is any effect of either the quarter or the semester system on learning.
Some people believe there are such effects. . .
The notion was you don't just go out and make a change like this for no reason. You need to have a reason and you need to have a rationale. Brehm plans to submit a written report on the committee's recommendation and findings to President Robert Glidden early next week. The panel also held four public meetings during winter quarter, inviting input from faculty and staff, students, regional campuses and the community. In addition to finding no compelling academic reason for change, Brehm said that some members of the committee were concerned about the timing of such a major change at the university.