I'm also worried about the lack of diversity that results from taking fewer classes. Robert Parry, Distinguished Professor emeritus of chemistry, has been a teacher for 50 years, essentially half of it on the quarter system at the U, and half on semesters at the University of Michigan. A good faculty can teach either way, and it is the faculty who determine the quality of instruction, not the calendar. Also, there is less busy work. Parry is skeptical about scenarios of more-crowded classroom stemming from fewer course sections.
Semesters also force a student to be more focused in choosing a major.
In the area of athletics, most of the effects of the change are positive. Likewise, the earlier start in the fall will cause traditional events, including Young Alumni Day, Plazafest, and Homecoming, to take place earlier in the season. Other annual events, such as the various awareness weeks, lectureships, and the like will probably be affected as well. Actions Taken So Far Much is being done. The U of U Calendar Transition Council, chaired by David Grant, Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, is guiding the changeover.