By Bella Levavi and Skyler Williams
Smith moved back to the pre-pandemic Interterm model this year, offering 14 classes on campus and two classes in experiential learning and abroad. This model offers 292 spots for students to enroll in classes on campus. Each class has a waitlist between five and 41 people.
During Interterm 2019-2020, the college offered four-credit classes in the hope that students would take only three classes in the fall. This year, Interterm has returned to its pre-pandemic model, mostly limited to one and two credit courses. Sophomores, whose only experience with Interterm was in 2021, are frustrated with the lack of four-credit classes.
Gloria Parrales ’24 said, “I really liked that last year we had the option to take four-credit classes because I could focus on one thing and get a big class out of the way.”
This model is turning people away from doing Interterm. Janice Salazar ’24 said, “I would have registered for this year’s Interterm if there were the courses I wanted.” Rosie Poku ’22 added that she wished there were more course offerings in every major, explaining, “I know a lot of people use Interterm to make sure they have enough credits.”
Smith altered the academic calendar last year, extending Interterm so that four-credit classes could be offered within a reasonable amount of time. Michael Thurston, Provost and Dean of the Faculty, said that there was high student interest in these courses but that “most faculty found the experience not one that they were interested in repeating. What you miss in that frenetic, intensive environment is the time that’s necessary for the absorption of material.”
When asked if Thurston thinks Smith has an obligation to provide programming for students during Interterm, he said, “It’s fine for there not to be a lot to do. Students work really hard from the beginning of September through the middle of December, and then jump back into it mid-way through January. I think there’s a lot to be said for a break.”
While the Five College exchange is heavily advertised at Smith, the exchange does not take place during Interterm. According to Thurston, the calendars of all the colleges do not align. Amherst’s Interterm lasts one week longer than Smith’s. UMass’s online winter classes last from Dec.17-Jan. 24, ending the same day that Smith classes start.
According to Karen Sise, Associate Registrar, Smith students can take UMass winter session classes and individually apply for transfer credit to have that credit accepted.
Traditionally, Smith did not accept online classes for credit. With last year being online, there is debate about what Smith will do in the future. According to Thurston, the Committee on Academic Priorities will discuss the extent to which Smith will accept online courses later this month.
Students who have participated in Interterm, either last year’s virtual model or otherwise, acknowledged that taking a class during Interterm does not feel like a break. Parrales, when asked about her Interterm experience last year, said, “The class was intense because it was condensed to six weeks.”
Of a four-credit French class she took over Interterm, Poku said, “I felt exhausted because I really didn’t get a break between fall term and spring term.”
Asked about their ideal on-campus Interterm experience, students expressed a desire for the college to provide additional programming because of the loneliness on campus. Zufan Bazzano ’22 said, “It’s like a ghost town. I don’t remember there ever being activities that Smith put up during Interterm. I feel like that would have made a big difference.”
All students interviewed expressed interest in virtual Interterm course offerings. Parrales said, “I actually did like the virtual aspect of it last year because it’s still a break from Smith, but you can do it in a different way.”
Students also responded that they want more “fun” Interterm classes. “I wish there were more fun classes. I know other schools have a bunch of practical experience kinds of things that you can do during Interterm,” said Poku.
No-credit “fun” classes used to be offered at Smith, but this program stopped in 2017. These classes were run by the deans of Smith and were well-attended by students. “There was a car repair course that was hugely popular with students,” Thurston said. Mount Holyoke still offers this type of program during its January term.
Thurston explained that not all types of classes work well in the three week Interterm period. Language intensives, like the French program that is not offered this year, and concentration courses that involve guest speakers have been successful in the past.
As to the college’s decision to revert to the pre-pandemic model for Interterm, Sise explained that the old model is consistent with college protocol at this time. She said, “Other than masks and social distancing the school has gone completely back to the pre-COVID in person operating standards.”
