Mystery of early return explained

By Carrie Porche Jones, On-Line Forty-Niner

Wednesday, August 26, 1998

The mystery behind this fall's early commencement is not a charade or a plot to start a revolt on campus. There is no ulterior motive behind the decision to cut the summer short. Early Halloween goblins are not playing trick or treat.

"The early opening caught everyone by surprise," said Gloria Kapp, director of admissions and financial aid. According to Kapp, the academic calendar is made five years in advance, and this year's date fell on Aug. 24 because days of the week fall on different dates each year.

The calendar is put together by a committee and must be approved by the Academic Senate Committee. The primary interest of the committee is getting in the mandatory number of instructional days, which is 72 for the fall semester and 74 for the spring. This fall's calendar has the required number of days.

"When I started working at Cal State Long Beach ten years ago, the fall semester always started on or about Aug. 28," Kapp said. "That put finals after Christmas. This year, finals will end on Dec.12, a week earlier than last year."

Kapp said she is not aware of any problems caused by the early start. Financial aid checks were mailed the first week of school to students who had completed the required paperwork on time. The only problem with housing is the long waiting list that began to fill up in June.

Looking back at the calendar, Kapp said that in 1994, the fall semester began Aug. 29 and in 1999 classes will begin Aug. 30.

"One of the biggest advantages to students is that faculty will have to turn in grades earlier and the results will be available to students before January," Kapp said.

Spring semester will not be affected, with classes beginning Jan. 25 as scheduled.