The 1998-99 school year will be last year UMC will be on a quarter calendar. In fall 1999, the University of Minnesota will change from a quarter calendar to a semester calendar. The shift to semesters means many important changes. Degree requirements for all major programs will change under semesters. New semester courses have been developed, which will replace quarter courses in fall 1999. Some semester courses will be similar to former quarter courses, while others will be new or will combine the content of two or more quarter courses. The content of some quarter courses will be dropped completely. The academic year will start earlier in the fall and end earlier in the spring.

Departments may also schedule courses during a three-week intersession following the end of the spring semester and before the summer term. New graduation requirements will go into effect for new students admitted in fall 1999 and thereafter.

The change to semesters will make it easier for students to transfer between and among the various public and private institutions in Minnesota, take courses at other nearby institutions, and, in some cases, participate in ITV (Interactive Television) courses. For more information on semester conversion check out UMC's website or obtain copies of the "Student Handbook, Changing to Semesters in 1999" available from the Office of the Registrar.

Four alumni will be honored at the annual Northwest School of Agriculture (NWSA) Alumni Reunion during the weekend of June 26 and 27, at UMC. Receiving the Top Aggie Awards will be:

• Eva Mykleby Pearson ’38, St. Paul MN
• Maynard Helgaas ’53, Jamestown ND
• Ronald Filipy ’58, Richland WA
• Robert Heckman, ’60 – ‘68 Faculty, Fertile MN

All faculty and staff are invited to:

Friday, June 26

7:00 p.m. All-School Gathering at the Northland Inn in Crookston.

Saturday, June 27

11:15 a.m. Pig Roast on the mall ($5 per person)

5:30 p.m. Buffet Dinner ($10 per person) followed by the annual business meeting and alumni program honoring the Top Aggies.

Please call 8437 if you plan to attend any of the events.

UMC is connecting to communities in northwestern Minnesota. A van load of faculty and staff have been visiting two or three communities on a one-day swing each week.

There is still time to sign up to go along. July dates include:

• Thursday, June 25 – Roseau, Middle River
• Thursday, July 9 – Warroad, Grygla
• Monday, July 13 – Fosston, Bagley
• Thursday, July 23 – Erskine, McIntosh
• Thursday, July 30 – Perham, New York Mills, Ada

If you are able to go along, please call me at 8436. We especially need people for July 13 and July 30.

The July issue of UMC Summer news will be published on Wednesday, July 15.

Nineteen faculty and staff women got together for a fun night of playing softball. We will play again on Thursday, July 9 on the campus softball field and would love to be able to add players to both teams.

Here’s a list of people who played: Angelika Huglen, Sue Dwyer, Brenda Sivertson, Heidi Patterson, Jacquie Normandin, Karen Murphy, Twyla Treanor, Lynn Mullins, Laurie Wilson, Stephanie Reck, Angela Schubert, Stacey Grunewald, Rose Ulseth, Melissa Hower-Moritz, Natalie McCleary, Barb Ricord, Debi Brule, Rae Howe-French, Ardis Thompson – umpire.

For information call Rose at 281-8439, Stephanie at 281-8422 or Jacquie at 281-8425.

Want to go camping but don't have the equipment? The Bede Student Center has new tents for you to use! We also have cook stoves, sleeping bags and pads, canoes and new Duluth packs. Call Kellee at 281-8586 to reserve equipment or to have a price list sent to you!