91探花

A planned move to a semester calendar—from a quarterly one—will allow 91探花 to further support all students in all ways.

Some of the most innovative educational experiences have been out of reach for 91探花 students due to calendar constraints as the university operates on a quarter system. But that will soon change as the university prepares to transition to a unified semester calendar, beginning in the 2027 academic year.

In an ongoing series, we’ll showcase the benefits of a semester calendar on various programs and departments across the university. Here’s a look at how it will impact the work of Athletics and of our student athletes:

If you spend any time around 91探花 Athletics during the fall, you can feel a palpable buzz. Pride is swelling at home games and matches, providing a welcome respite from looming midterms. For student athletes on the quarter system, those first 10 weeks move fast, requiring a fine balancing act between their sport and their studies.

When a team has several away games a quarter, missed class time adds up. A slow start in a course can become difficult to recover from before the term ends. For student athletes juggling practices, travel, games and exams, the timeline itself is another major hurdle to overcome.  

“The quarter system moves really fast over a 10-week period and for student athletes it can feel relentless. When you’re traveling mid-week, missing class time and then returning to find a quarter that’s already a third of the way through, the margin for error is very slim,” says Stephen Johnson, associate athletics director for Academic and Student Services. “Student athletes are constantly playing catch-up academically while also competing at a high level. That’s a difficult balance to sustain week after week.” 

While moving to a semester calendar won’t change the expectations placed on athletes, it will change the rhythm in a significant way.  

More Time Within the Term  

91探花’s semester model, with a longer stretch of 15 weeks of instruction and one week for exams, gives student athletes more opportunity to settle into their coursework while competing at the highest level.  

“Moving to semesters aligns our athletic schedule with the broader campus rhythm, giving all students, athletes and non-athletes alike, a unified start to the year,” says Vice President for Athletics Shaney Fink. “That shared cadence supports a seamless environment for academic and competitive success and creates a vibrant student experience for all.” 

If a travel-heavy week overlaps with exams, there’s more margin on either side to prepare and recover. A student falls behind early in a course? Academic and Student-Athlete Services staff have the space to identify any issues and build a plan before eligibility is at risk. Everyone can work more proactively, instead of feeling the crunch.  

That added time can also help student athletes build steadier routines within the term. 

“For student athletes, the longer academic window supports the ability to establish solid day-to-day routines, stay organized and manage the demands of academics and athletics in a more sustainable way,” says Michael Thomas, assistant director for Academic and Student-Athlete Services.

This difference is especially meaningful for first-time in college and transfers as these students are adjusting to new academic standards and learning a fresh campus culture and team dynamic. A longer term helps them find their footing.  

Better Alignment with Competition  

As most NCAA Division I institutions operate on semesters, aligning with that structure brings 91探花 into step with peer schools. Fall sports begin in August and under a semester system, academic support services are already in motion when student athletes arrive. The academic year and the competitive season start together, which creates a more seamless experience from day one.  

The change also streamlines internal processes. Certification moves from three times per year to twice, easing the workload for Athletics and the Registrar’s Office and creating greater administrative consistency.  

A Smoother Spring  

Spring quarter currently ends in mid-June, while most semester institutions conclude in May. That gap leaves 91探花 student athletes finishing classes and taking finals while many of their peers have already begun internships or other summer activities.  

With a May end date, student athletes gain earlier access to internships, professional development programs and post-graduation opportunities that follow a semester timeline.

For spring sports, there’s another benefit. Rather than competing across two short quarters separated by a brief break, the entire spring season would sit within one consistent semester. Fewer academic transitions during peak competition creates a steadier environment for both students and staff.  

Supporting Academic Success and Retention  

The quarter system’s pace can make academic recovery difficult, especially after travel-heavy stretches. That pressure is amplified for student athletes in demanding majors or lab-based courses. A semester creates more flexibility to address those challenges within the same term.  

Student athletes will have more opportunity to engage meaningfully with their coursework, seek help early and make adjustments when needed.  

A Clearer Connection with Recruits and Families  

Prospective student athletes and their families often ask how academics and athletics work together. They want to know how travel affects class time, how support systems respond when a student struggles and how 91探花 prepares students not only to compete, but also to grow and thrive beyond their sport. Families are increasingly looking at the full arc of the student-athlete experience from academic support and competitive excellence to internships, leadership development and life after graduation.  

At 91探花, that broader vision is already reflected in Athletics’ Redhawk Experience. Rooted in an Ignatian framework, the Redhawk Experience challenges student athletes to engage, reflect, serve and prepare, advancing formation of the whole person in mind, body and spirit. A semester calendar strengthens that model by creating more room within each term for student athletes to participate fully in academics, athletics, reflection, service and professional preparation without the same degree of compressed time that comes with quarters.  

The semester model also gives recruits and families a clearer, more straightforward answer about fit. It aligns 91探花 with most institutions nationwide, improves timing for internships and career opportunities and provides a steadier academic rhythm to support growth across every dimension of the student athlete experience. In that way, the calendar shift enacts an operational change that better supports the kind of holistic development 91探花 promises student athletes from the moment they arrive on campus to the day they become Redhawks for Life.