Cal State Bakersfield (CSUB) has decided to operate its curriculum in 15-week semesters from 10-week quarters and hopes to complete the switch by fall of 2015. The university President Horace Mitchell said that it would cost CSUB $2.5 million to $3 million to change its method of offering the courses.

When the announcement was made, last June, a majority of CSUB's Academic Senate - a governing group of faculty representatives, opposed the move in a non-binding informational vote. Out of the 99 faculty members, 71 favored functioning in quarter system in comparison to 15 who preferred the semester pattern while 13 professors were fine with either of the teaching modes.

"First, there's no evidence that one system is better than another," Academic Senate President Jackie Kegley said. "It seems to just be a matter of personal preference, and given our students, the quarter system works well because it keeps them moving along and there's less time to procrastinate."

Six of CSU's 23 campuses - Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Cal Poly Pomona, Los Angeles, Hayward and San Bernardino, who are running quarter schedules, are considering a convert to semesters.

"The only valid reason we wouldn't consider it would be cost, but now the chancellor's office is giving us most of the funding to get it done, so we're ready to move forward," Mitchell said. "So many of our students realize after their first exam that they're not where they need to be, and with quarters there isn't enough time to catch up," Mitchell said. "Semesters will give them more time."

Mitchell also said that the semester pattern will help the students rather than crippling them.

The university's conversion into semester pattern was based on three primary reasons:

- Cost savings - If the university works in semesters, it would cost less from an administrative point of view following reduced operations and two registration periods instead of three.

- Better access - It would bring CSU campuses on par with the community colleges and high schools, enhancing access and smoother transition for students at CSU.

- Enhanced competence - To have all 23 campuses performing on a similar schedule would result in country-wide efficiency.

- Faculty benefits - More generous funding during sabbaticals.