Dean Jodi Webb spoke to USG about possible term calendar changed the University is considering that would be enacted in fall of 2018.

“There is a group that has been formed that is looking at the J-term,” Webb, who also serves as the USG Advisor, said. “This would be a short three week kind of mini semester that would happen.”

The J-term, or January term, would occur during the last three weeks of January.

Other schools, including the University of Toledo, is also considering this term structure.

“This would, if we went in this direction, it could provide students with the opportunity to do more internships over the semester break, it could be classes on campus, it could be online classes, it could even be opportunities for shortened study abroad experiences,” Webb said.

There would be a number of challenges associated with switching over to the proposed term structure, including finances and housing.

The new proposed term might also include 15-week semesters with 14 weeks of classes and one week of exams.

“This is not a done deal…this is really about gathering information,” Webb said.

Implementation would occur in fall 2018 is the University decides to go this route.

President Amanda Dortch brought to the attention of USG that Hanna Hall, currently planned to receive renovation and be used as the new College of Business building, will also receive a new name.

“A couple of years ago the Board of Trustees passed some type of legislation that says without the monetary donation, you cannot have a building named after you,” Dortch said.

A sizable monetary donation has been given to renovate Hanna Hall, and the donor has requested the building name the reflect his or her donation.

The Hanna family does not meet this monetary gift requirement.

The conversation is currently at the Board of Trustees, Dortch said. They will discuss the matter in the February meeting.

Updates to Faculty Senate’s recent committee formation to reduce textbook costs to students were given Monday night.

“When they say lowering the textbook prices by 15 percent, that means within the classroom…if they require two books it would go down to requiring one book and then the other one would go to online material,” Vice President Richard Racette said.

A new standing committee is in the process of being created to further discuss the initiative, including its timeline, Racette said.

Director of International Student Services Marcia Salazar-Valentine addressed the student government, presenting the efforts and tasks of her office.

This fall, there are 931 international students taking classes at the University. Some come to the University through exchange programs. In an exchange program an international student takes the place of a domestic student studying abroad.

First year international students attend a specific SOAR date in mid-August, which is also when they register for classes and move into the residence halls.

International students come in the highest numbers from China, India, Saudi Arabia and Canada. They are most commonly enrolled in engineering technology, finance, music performance, computer science and sports management.

The Office of International Student Services also facilities study abroad opportunities for domestic students. These opportunities include over 45 partnered universities as part of the exchange programs. Most programs offered abroad as part of these partnerships are taught in English.

Students studying abroad pay the same tuition as a domestic semester and receive the same financial aid and scholarships.

The University also offers campuses in Alcala, Spain and Salzburg, Austria.

“An experience abroad is valuable to students’ resumes, critical thinking, flexibility (and) working with people from different backgrounds,” Salazar-Valentine said.

Currently, the study abroad office is located in 319 Administration building.

President Mary Ellen Mazey has set a goal of 1,500 international students for the fall of 2017.

“That is a very, very, very tough goal to reach,” Salazar-Valentine said. “But…we should be able to get close to that goal for 2017.”

International week is being held Nov. 14 – 18 and ends with the international dinner on the evening of Saturday, Nov. 19. This dinner is $13 per student if payed for in advance and is usually attended to by 300-400 students.