Brigham Young University-Idaho announced May 2 that statistics for its summer 2008 semester show the goal to fully implement a three-semester system is becoming a reality.
According to the school's records, 11,112 students are enrolled for the summer semester, almost a 22 percent jump from summer enrollment in 2007. The number of students enrolled winter semester 2008 was 13,292.
"It's clear that many more BYU-Idaho students are taking advantage of what summer semester has to offer," said Kyle Martin, university registrar. "The three-track, three-semester system allows BYU-Idaho to use existing resources to serve a greater number of students, and this summer's enrollment numbers are proof of that."
In 2007 BYU-Idaho implemented a revised academic calendar organized into three semesters of 13-14 weeks. Classes were previously offered in two 16-week semesters and two 8-week summer blocks. The change was designed to increase the quality of instruction at BYU-Idaho, while allowing a greater number of students to attend classes during the summer.
"Students are having an outstanding experience during summer semester," said Roy Huff, associate academic vice president for curriculum. "Faculty members teach and are available to assist students throughout the summer. Course offerings have been expanded and improved."
Increasing the quality of the BYU-Idaho experience and serving a greater number of students were two of the imperatives outlined by President Kim B. Clark in his 2005 inaugural response.
The former two-year Ricks College became BYU-Idaho in the fall of 2001 and has since undergone significant changes in the focus of its curriculum, the number of physical facilities added and the number of programs available.