After hearing about the new school calendar system incorporating three 14-week semesters, many students might have been pleased to note their summer break just got longer. What might surprise students is the lack of information about the program and the unresolved issues remaining — only nine months away from implementation.

Arguably the biggest change to the school’s academic structure since the transition to a four-year university is creating more questions than answers. At a faculty meeting on March 14, President Kim B. Clark addressed questions about the new system. As challenges and issues were presented, very few answers emerged.

A chorus of, “We do not have the answer to that right now,” “We haven’t worked that out yet,” and “There isn’t a plan right now,” seemed to stream after every question as President Clark tried to ease concerns. He also noted the reason why they didn’t have a plan — they wanted to present the new calendar to the Board of Trustees for its approval before moving on with specific details.

Now that the board has approved the calendar, many issues must be addressed before the program takes effect in January 2007.

A representative from the BYU-Idaho Bookstore expressed concern that they wouldn’t have time between winter and summer semesters to order in enough books for all the students. A faculty member revealed potential problems the calendar would create for international students. Another faculty member noted the inconvenience for students on the summer/fall track, who would have two breaks between their annual schooling.

Other issues discussed at the meeting included housing contracts, plans for the summer break, schedules for wards and stakes, and block classes. Few solutions were offered, but President Clark assured all in attendance the decisions would be made in the best interests of the students.

One of the top priority issues during the planning period has been the treatment of faculty members under this new plan. Retirement, compensation and workload issues still have yet to be resolved. Most significant for students is the increase in credit hours required of faculty members to teach in the summer.

Summer is usually a time for faculty to review their class curriculum, read new books, attend conferences, become aware of the latest advancements in their fields and update class materials accordingly. Students receive a better education when instructors continually improve their knowledge and skills.

With this increase in time commitment to the new summer semester, faculty members might miss out on valuable learning opportunities. Roughly translated, if faculty receive less time to review new material, BYU-I students might soon receive an outdated education.

In coming weeks and months the BYU-I administration will submit specific plan details to the Board of Trustees, which includes the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Faculty and student comments and concerns will be vital to planning a system that benefits all involved.

Raising issues that might not have been addressed can take place in classes, among fellow students, in meetings with academic advisers or by sending concerns to the administration.

When Church leaders ultimately approve the plans, those involved with BYU-I will need to accept the counsel and adjust accordingly.

That process has not yet happened, though, and planning in many regards is still apparently in its infancy. The start of the three-semester system is coming quickly, and students and faculty must be informed and prepared.

Much of the success of the program will rely on open communication about the planning process so those concerned about the future of BYU-I can assist in making the transition smooth. Working together, we can address these issues quickly, find solutions and BYU-I can seamlessly continue as an innovator in education — bringing far-reaching benefits to students, faculty, administration and community members.