The matter, which will go before the University Senate, is in response to negative feedback from students, lecturers and administrators about the present set up.
Among the issues listed were that the timing of semester 1 special examinations, resulting from the additional week between semesters, meant a delay for students who had a special exam and wished to graduate in August but were instead needing to wait for the December ceremonies; processing issues with Studylink due to the break in study being longer than 21 days; and lost revenue for the University Union due to a "lost week".
"Moving to 12-week semesters would address some concerns cited in conversations about collaborations, including in relation to students accessing StudyLink support by bringing Otago into alignment with all other New Zealand universities, plus improved alignment with school holiday periods (helpful for some students and some staff)," discussion papers presented to senate committee said.
"For students, an additional week mid-semester allows time for a break while acknowledging and accommodating time for the study that many students report undertaking during the current break. For some students this will make a huge difference, reducing the impact of needing to choose between study and supporting whānau at this time."
The discussion paper also noted one fewer week in each of semesters 1 and 2 would be a change for residential colleges and for the University Union’s commercial operation, but said there could be scope to make more of the Summer School period.
It also flagged the fact many students in flats are required to pay rent for a full year, and a move to 12-week semesters would potentially mean a reduction in their period of actual occupancy.
"It would be important to consider how big we intend to be for Summer School.
"While there could be positives in adjusting pre-Christmas Summer School and Summer School, thought must be given to who will deliver teaching at this time, as well as the impact for administrative activities such as timetabling and examinations. If compulsory papers are to be offered in Summer School, this must be balanced with how attractive this study period would be for students."
The changes, if accepted, will come into effect in 2027.
