Source: Melinda Sinn, 785-532-5888, sinnpio@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Rosanna Vail, 785-532-2720, rvail@k-state.edu

Friday, Oct. 23, 2009

K-STATE INTERSESSION OFFERING MORE ONLINE AND ON-CAMPUS CLASSES FOR JANUARY 2010 THROUGH UNIVERSITY INITIATIVE

MANHATTAN -- Kansas State University will offer more than 50 classes during the January 2010 intersession, and more than 10 of these classes will be offered entirely online -- the most ever offered during any K-State intersession term.

Intersession offers classes in convenient three-week sessions between the standard university terms. The development of more online classes for the upcoming January session was an initiative led by K-State administrators and students.

Dave Stewart, assistant dean of continuing education at K-State, said the increase in both face-to-face and online intersession classes partially results from students' increasing interest to complete classes in shorter sessions.

"Based on several national surveys, we know there is a strong preference among students for online classes that are offered on an accelerated schedule," Stewart said. "At K-State, the development of more online classes offered during intersession is also the result of both students and faculty becoming increasingly comfortable with them."

Dalton Henry, K-State student body president, helped lead the initiative for more online Intersession classes. "Now, more than ever, students seem to be willing to learn in different ways," Henry said. "The flexibility of intersession courses offered both online and face-to-face is a great combination for K-State students. It means they have the opportunity to take courses that they otherwise wouldn't or a chance to take an additional course to keep them on schedule to graduate."

More online January intersession offerings also mean that on-campus students and distance students have more options to complete a class regardless of where they plan to spend their holiday break. "Online classes greatly expand the audience for intersession," Stewart said. "They open intersession to more residential students who are away from campus during these times as well as to our distance education students. I think we can expect a growing response from both distance and on-campus students."

Enrollment begins Oct. 26 for the January 2010 session, which is included as part of the spring 2010 semester. Available intersession classes can be viewed at http://www.dce.k-state.edu/courses and then selecting "January 2010 Intersession" in the search. More information on intersession is available by contacting the K-State Division of Continuing Education at 1-800-622-2578, informationdce@k-state.edu or online at:
http://www.dce.k-state.edu/courses/intersession