Students can save money on summer classes after a resolution by the Board of Trustees passed Nov. 1. 

The resolution will allow students who take a site-based course during the summer to have a half-price discount on an online course, as well.

Other changes were made to summer school based on data collected from students.

The major change was the decision to go back to three sessions.

The first and second sessions will both be five weeks and the third session will be four weeks.

In the past couple of years, there was one short May session followed by one long summer session.

Interim Assistant Provost for Academic Affairs Shelly Blunt said it was changed because it was reported as inconvenient for students.

The university decided to get feedback from students.

They took the proposed changes to the Student Government Association, who was in favor.

They also surveyed students on Assessment Day. First-year freshmen pointed out they would have liked the option to apply for summer courses at orientation and enter the university early.

There are plans to let students know which summer courses will be offered when they receive their acceptance letters. All students were sent an email, which gives everyone the option to provide feedback.

“We want to get all this data back so if there are courses students need or certain times that students need, we can adjust the summer schedule before it goes live,” Blunt said.

According to the data collected, students like classes that are earlier in the morning so they can work.

They also do not like the idea of coming to campus every day. “Students like more consistent start times and less overlap between classes,” Blunt said. “So, this year if you want to take two classes, you should have the ability to do so.”

Students who decide to pursue the discounted summer courses don’t have to do so in one single session.

“For example, students can take an on-campus course in the first session and then take the discounted online course in another session if they choose to do so,” Blunt said.

Vice President of Business Affairs Mark Rozewski said the decision to implement the discount was made because the university lost $1 million last summer.

“We also want to introduce students to online courses and we feel like if they’re attractively priced, students might pursue that option,” he said.

When there’s a sale, you sell more, he said.

“What we’re hoping for is that at that price, people will take many more courses,” Rozewski said.

The deans of the colleges have been working on lists of courses that will be offered.

The lists have been submitted to the registrar’s office for review.

Junior psychology major Cody Williamson said he didn’t have time to pursue summer school in the past, but plans to take advantage of the 50 percent discount.

“Any way to save money for a college student is a good thing,” he said.

Williamson plans on studying abroad at some point during the summer, so he hopes the courses he needs are somehow offered around that schedule.

“I need to catch up,” he said.

Typically, students would begin registering for summer courses as they register for spring courses, but due to the changes, which were awaiting approval, registration has been delayed until Nov. 30. Next year, summer registration will go back to normal.