Wheeling University’s summer course offerings had never been what you call robust. There were a few classes held each summer term but nothing compared to the more varied and ample selection offered at other local institutions of higher learning.
Note the emphasis on the past tense. The preceding statement no longer applies to Wheeling University, and earlier today it officially began a far more extensive collection of summer courses for current and incoming students to select from.
Summer Session I kicked off today and runs through June 26 for current and incoming students with signups still being accepted through May 20.
The classes are discounted, with the percentage off increasing with six or more credit hours taken. It’s all part of what President Ginny Favede has coined the university’s “Summer of Purpose.”
“This is more than just something to do for the summer,” Favede said. “What are you doing to invest in yourself and your future? Do you want to accomplish something that helps put you ahead? We wanted to provide that to our students, and I think it’s exciting.”
This isn’t just being provided to current or incoming Wheeling University students. For the first time, the institution is offering all rising high school seniors the opportunity to take collegiate level courses.
“In these times of uncertainty, this is allowing the high school seniors an opportunity to take a class or two during the summer that will earn them credits toward a college degree down the road.”
Current high school students will be able to take more core-style classes like General Psychology that can be passed and used at any institution.
Coronavirus as the Catalyst
Wheeling University’s spring break came at a different time from other area colleges and universities. So, when students and faculty returned to campus this spring, decisions needed to be made—and fast—about how to continue with the students’ education in a safe environment.
The administration and faculty rallied together quickly, forming an all-online model on the fly, and having it ready within 72 hours.
On-campus housing eventually was closed, and students returned to their respective hometowns. Learning, however, continued safely and virtually, allowing the students to close out the semester.
“Our Wheeling University dedicated faculty, they’ve gone above and beyond,” Favede said. “They put together in 72 hours what might have taken a year to do so normally.”
The university no longer lags behind in online offerings. Why not take additional advantage of the newly established learning versatility?
“You want to talk about silver linings; God certainly provided one,” Favede said of the move.
From that move, the “Summer of Purpose” was born.
Rising Seniors
The first summer session for high school seniors starts May 26 and runs through June 26. The main class offered is a three-hour course in general psychology. Others will be listed as the term nears, including 20th Century History.
Students can take the classes for the discounted rate of $185 per credit hour. Given that Wheeling still is a Catholic institution, there is an agreement worked out that diocesan students pay $85 per credit hour.
What’s better is that for seniors taking at least nine hours of credits and earning a 3.0 grade-point average or higher, they will be granted early admission to the university.
Favede obviously would like to retain as many of those students as possible and welcome them into the WU family, but she knows some have other plans. That is why these classes will be core only to increase transferability.
“We know how hard it is to graduate with a four-year degree in four years,” Favede said. “This will give them the opportunity to get some core classes out of the way.”
Current and Incoming Students
The course offerings are more diverse for these students, including some 200 and 300-level classes.
All classes are discounted, with the first three hours receiving a 10 percent discount, and six hours or more taken will receive a 25 percent discount.
Much like with Xfinity, bundling leads to increased savings.
Favede is not just the lead administrator for the university; she is also a mother. Her daughter just graduated from medical school at The Ohio State University while her son is still earning his undergrad. She knows what he had planned for his summer, and what will be available in terms of both educational and employment opportunities are vastly different. But it doesn’t have to be a lost summer. She knows there are many students and families in similar situations.
Why not take that time and further your education? It’s also a good time to get that one class you may be dreading or struggling with out of the way. It’s far easier to work through, say, college algebra when you are only taking three or six hours of courses as opposed to 15 or 18.
“This is an opportunity to get ahead and to take a couple extra credits that will help down the road and enable you to graduate early from college,” Favede said. “What a wonderful investment for your time.”
The president believes this is only the beginning as Wheeling University’s allotment of undergrad-level classes online will continue to expand, not only during the “new” normal of the pandemic, but beyond.
“We have to address the changing needs of all of our consumers,” Favede said.
