With the announcement of the new BYU-Idaho academic calendar to start in January 2007, the administration is concerned students will feel like they’ll need to take fewer credits once semesters change from 16 weeks to 14 weeks.

The average credit load per student has already inched steadily downward since Ricks College transitioned to BYU-Idaho, a trend that should be reversed, said Ric Page, assistant vice president for student life.

In Fall Semester 2004, the average credit load per student was 14. By 2005, the number had dropped to 13.7 credits, prompting the administration to allow 232 more students to be enrolled to meet enrollment target goals.

“When we figure full-time equivalent students, and this is a nationwide benchmark, we figure it at 15 credits per student,” Page said. “It is this figure upon which we base all our enrollment targets, funding from the board and the required number of instructors.”

With more students taking fewer credits, an increased strain is felt in various services on campus. “That’s 232 more students who need books, financial aid, counseling, employment, parking, housing and several other campus services,” Page said.

Another problem caused by lower credit levels is that it is taking longer for students to graduate.

“It’s typical that freshman [credit levels] are lower, then it gets higher for a while and then it drops off again during the senior year,” Page said. “Our hope under the new calendar is that it doesn’t drop any more than 13.7, and we would love to see it go back up toward 15.”