The Clarion Online

Issue date: 12/12/07 Section: Editorials

The fall 2007 semester is rapidly coming to a close. Overall, it has been an intense but successful learning experience for the entire campus community.

This semester Citrus College underwent two major changes. The first was the transition from a traditional 18-week academic semester to a 16-week compressed calendar. The second was the implementation of a new computer system.

With the new 16-week calendar system, most classes meet only once or twice a week but for longer class sessions. This means that students can arrange their schedules to commute to campus less often, thus saving valuable time and gas.

With most classes now meeting either Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday, students are, in many cases, able to have three-day weekends.

Also, the introduction of a new six-week winter session gives students the option of taking concentrated short courses in January and early February or taking off the next two months to work, travel or play.

Students who are in hurry to move on may also be able to complete their Associate's Degrees and transfer sooner.

A shorter semester also means less time to procrastinate, so students have had to take their classes seriously from the get-go.

Since Citrus has been on the new calendar only one semester, it is impossible to evaluate all its effects, but as of right now, it looks as if it has been beneficial for students.

Another change the college made in the fall was to introduce WingSpan, an online system for admission and registration.

Implementation of WingSpan has resulted in several problems. Many students who receive financial aid have had difficulties because that data does not always appear on WingSpan accounts right away.

First-time Citrus students do not appear to be encountering these difficulties, however.

The Admissions and Records Office has set up a WingSpan helpline for students to call when they are having trouble.

Some professors, particularly those who teach classes with prerequisites, also faced unexpected challenges when WingSpan was implemented. It just takes time to work out all the kinks.

As we approach the close of a momentous year in the history of Citrus College, we applaud the administration and staff for making changes that benefit Citrus College students.

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