The month-long winter break can sometimes be too long to stay at home for Courtney Mills.

Mills, a Carrollton freshman, said a three-week January term would be a good way to get ahead academically and to have something to do during the break.

Academic Affairs will set up a committee on Thursday to look at a January term.

The January term is not going to be considered for 2005, Provost Barbara Burch said during the University Senate meeting on Thursday. Some programs may be created for 2006.

Registrar Freida Eggleton, who will chair the committee, said the members will soon be appointed.

The committee will be composed of members who represent different areas that would be affected by a January term, Eggleton said.

She said the committee will be discussing creative ways to offer courses during a January term.

The committee will consider offering study abroad opportunities or online courses for students in January, Burch said.

“Certainly, one of the goals is to offer courses that students want or need,” Eggleton said.

In the proposed schedule, five minutes would be added to classes for the January term and the summer term would be shortened to 12 weeks.

John Bradley, president of the Student Government Association, said the January term would be a good opportunity for students to study abroad, volunteer or participate in a short internship.

Bradley said his only concerns about the additional term are the effects of schedule changing on non-traditional students and financial aid for students studying in January.

Some issues to be considered by the committee include housing and food services for students.

Eggleton said the committee will identify ways to minimize the impact on those services.

Some students would like the addition of a January term.

Nashville sophomore Katie Hart said she would take winter classes if she were financially able.

She said she would prefer the January term to a summer class because she would have more time for a summer job.

“I think it would be beneficial to people who would want a few extra hours or don’t like the long break,” she said.

In other business

Members of the ad hoc committee on academic quality were chosen following the senate meeting. The committee, which will make a recommendation on plus/minus grading by March, will include Paducah junior Hollan Holm; senate Vice Chair Jim Berger, assistant professor Michelle Hollis; Patricia Minter, general education committee chair; economics professor Brian Strow; Danita Kelley, professor of consumer and family sciences; Topnet Services Coordinator Nelda Sims; and math professor Sherrie Serros.

Representatives from the graduate school, the provost’s office, Advising and Retention Office, Office of the Registrar and another student representative have not yet been selected.

Reach Ashlee Clark at [email protected]