This January began a new chapter in the evolution of Interterm. The College disbanded the small, informal student-taught classes on topics ranging from mildly useful to inane. A refined class schedule featuring only three non-credit classes taught by professors as well a slew of evening activities replaced the old system.

Under the old system, students were only coming back to work on independent projects, and the College's new emphasis on nighttime activities during Interterm is clearly in deference to this.

But more can be done to make Interterm a more meaningful period. The College needs to try to draw more genuinely interested students back for January. The goal should be to foster a vibrant, if somewhat smaller, community on campus for the three weeks of Interterm, during which students can actively choose from a variety of academic and non-academic options unavailable during the regular semester.

Specifically, intensive half-credit immersion classes should be offered in academic subjects during Interterm. Amherst could offer semester-length classes compressed into a few weeks, similar to the way full-year classes are offered over the summer at peer institutions.

Admittedly a major change, this option would entice students to explore new academic areas, allow others to meet prerequisite requirements and, most important, it would provide stimulating ways for many to spend otherwise wasted or unproductive vacations. The success of classes like Machine Shop and Rape Aggression Defense (RAD), which drew substantial student interest, exemplify the potential of such a system.

Furthermore, it should be recognized that patterns of life change for those returning in January. Although it is reasonable for hours of operation to be pared back during Interterm, some cuts should have been made more thoughtfully. While it is understandable to eliminate evening hours for the fitness center, it was somewhat more agitating that weekend hours were removed as well.

The same is true for Schwemm's hours, which matched those of Valentine. They could have been opened at different times so students could take advantage of both.

The College has started in the right direction with its changes to the Interterm system, and that is commendable. However, there are more steps to be taken if returning to campus is to become an appealing option to a greater number of students.