"It was recommended that we focus our energy more on the students that are here and what they're here for," said Assistant Dean of Students Samuel Haynes. "The student-run courses were isolated and the participation varied."
"Most people are here writing theses, taking test preparation courses or some type of work in the community," said Lisa Friscia '02, a member of the Interterm Committee. "This is why the courses were eliminated-they weren't a real draw."
Past creators of Interterm classes disagree.
"I think that the committee's decision to axe student-led courses was a poor one," said David Goldstein '00, who taught Chinese and classical Greek over last year's Interterm. "They ripped out one of Amherst's oldest traditions and ran away with another opportunity for students, faculty and Amherst community to learn."
"By teaching, I got to see how incredible Amherst students are as learners-how quickly they pick up on new things and how thoroughly they come to understand them," said Dan Shore '02, who taught music theory during last year's Interterm.
The Committee of Six suggested that the Interterm Committee get rid of student-led courses, according to Haynes.
"The suggestion to eliminate student courses wasn't determined by the Interterm Committee but was told to Dean Haynes. We were operating under the idea that there would be no classes, but rather programs," said Friscia. "Honestly, this makes a lot of sense. No one came back to school to take the courses offered."
"I do think it is the right move," said Dean of Students Ben Lieber. "It finally recognizes officially what had become obvious in the past several years. The structure wasn't working. Students who came back were coming back for other reasons."
Friscia said that most students come back to campus to independently pursue activities during the day.
"It made more sense to shift programming to the evening, when people were taking a break from test preparation, thesis work or volunteering," said Friscia.
"I think we should address how we can get more students on campus during Interterm," said George Tsai '02, who instructed an introductory Chinese course with Goldstein. "If we can do that, I believe student-led courses can be successful and worthwhile.
"I feel that any decision to discourage student-led courses is a bad one," said Michael Rhoton '01, who intended to teach an Interterm course in improvisation comedy last January but was not able to. "The point of student-run classes isn't to present anything of necessarily 'serious academic interest,' or even to enlighten people. It's really just for kids to have fun creatively, to indulge in lighthearted curiosity."
The committee planning Interterm has organized evening programs for each night of Interterm, which starts January 8 and ends January 26. Events include movie nights, comedians, game nights and a concert.
"It made more sense to allocate funds to making the campus more fun and a little more alive for those students who were coming to Interterm anyway," said Friscia.
"I think the changes are going to come as a surprise to some," said Haynes. "I'm excited."
Although officially there will be no student-led courses during Interterm, Professor of Biology Stephen George is offering an MCAT self study program led by seniors who have already taken the MCATs.
"We already have many students signed up to take the program this coming Interterm," said George. "So, Interterm courses are not dead! I don't know personally about the other student-led courses, but this one is thriving."
This year, a course book will not be distributed to students this year. All information can be found online at www.amherst.edu/Interterm.
"We tried to design programs that would attract students and would provide a much needed break for those working," said Friscia.