Research Questions That Need to be Answered in Order to Conclude If a Winter Intersession is a Viable Option for MJC:

Good for the Students

1. What impact does a winter intersession have on student retention and success? What are the retention rates and success rates for MJC Students, comparing 5-week summer sections and 16-week fall and spring sections?
2. What impact does a winter intersession have on retention and success of basic skills students?
3. What impact does a winter intersession have on student persistence (fall to spring)?
4. What impact does a winter intersession have on student GPAs?
5. How do students respond to compressed courses?
6. Is one length of compressed courses better than another?
7. Is there a difference in retention/success rates before and after the implementation of compressed courses?
8. What impact does a winter intersession have on students’ financial aid?
9. What impact does a winter intersession have on student athletes (eligibility, etc.)?
10. What impact does a winter intersession have on students’ work schedules?
11. How many students are co-enrolled in classes for spring semester at both Columbia College and MJC?

Good for the College

1. What impact does a winter intersession have on FTES? Does a winter intersession add to total (annual) FTES?
2. What impact does a winter intersession have on the college’s part-time/overload budget?
3. What impact does a winter intersession have on faculty workload? Are faculty members allowed to spread their workload?
4. What impact does a winter intersession have on faculty work environment (shared governance, etc.)?
5. What impact does a winter intersession have on Instructional Services:
   • Writing Centers?
   • Math Labs?
   • Computer Labs?
   • Tutoring Centers?
6. What impact does a winter intersession have on Student Services:
   • Counseling?
   • Admissions and Records?
   • Financial Aid?
   • DSP&S?
   • EOPS?
   • Student Success?
   • Student Development?
   • Health Services?
7. What impact does a winter intersession have on College Services:
   • Library/Learning Resource Center?
   • Media Services?
   • Reprographics?
   • Videography/Photography?
   • Child Development?
8. What impact does a winter intersession have on Central Services:
   • Business Office?
   • Bookstore?
   • Food Services?
   • Campus Security?
9. Which support services are offered during winter intersession ?
10. Which courses can be successfully offered in a winter intersession (e.g., skills, bridge, on-campus, online)?
11. How many weeks is the winter intersession ?

Kinds of data that  are valid and reliable evidence to conclude if a winter intersession is a viable option for MJC:

• Historical data (literature review) related to compressed courses primarily from California community colleges
• Current data from California community colleges (including MJC) related to compressed courses
• Visitations and conversations with Winter Intersession California Community Colleges’ faculty, students, and staff
• Faculty/Division input
• Student surveys
• Focus groups
• College forums with constituent groups