The majority of courses being offered this summer are asynchronous, as the Chronicle previously reported. There is one in an online master’s program that is web synchronous. Of 31 courses, just 11 are in person.
Senior Associate Provost Nathan Bakkum, told the Chronicle that summer course offerings fluctuate depending on demand and student interest for certain courses.
Enrollment last summer was the lowest in five years.
The college is trying to only run classes that can fill because if the cost to deliver the course exceeds what students pay in tuition, it adds to the deficit.
When incoming president and CEO Shantay Bolton starts this summer, she will have inherited a $17 million deficit.
Still, it’s disappointing to see how few options are available
Summer classes are made to be flexible with the many study abroad options, but the expenses start adding up with the cost of traveling.
It is important to recognize that these courses over the summer are not covered by financial aid. There are summer aid packages, but they are given on a case-by-case basis, so they are not guaranteed.
For the summer session for the 2023-2024 academic year, a three credit course would cost around $2,775, the price for this summer has increased to $2,901. This includes the tuition rate and fees.
If summer classes are going to continue rising in price, there will be little to no incentive for students to continue school in the summer. Maybe that’s the savings the college needs, but it doesn’t help students who need credits to graduate.
Copy edited by Patience Hurston