A new term is being born here at Guilford College.

2013 is the proposed calendar year for this “special term” to pilot. It will either be a January or May term, though there has been more discussion for a January Term, which is often referred to as “J-Term.”

A May term has not been entirely discarded, but January makes more sense to the special term planning committee for a few reasons.

“One of our calendar planning goals is to do no harm to summer school,” said Jack Zerbe, chair of the committee.

Another reason January is preferred is that what the students learn during this semester can “overflow into the spring term,” according to Bob Malekoff, assistant professor of sport studies and committee member.

The calendar is not the only uncertainty for the special term. The committee is still deciding on the number of credits that will be offered for the term, what kinds of classes will be available, and how grades will be determined.

It has been decided that this term will provide nontraditional learning opportunities for students. Zerbe said that he and much of the committee prefer “projects” in lieu of “classes.” General education courses and classes that are available during the spring and fall semesters will not be offered.

President and Professor of Political Science Kent Chabotar would like this term to offer projects that are unique to the Guilford campus. Associate Professor of Education Studies David Hildreth agrees with this idea.

“I think the rationale … is to create an experience that will enhance one’s Guilford experience … to make Guilford’s J-term something that is very beneficial to our students and faculty, independent of what others are doing,” said Hildreth in an email interview.

Faculty and administration seem to agree that the strength of the special term will be the opportunity to provide experiential learning to Guilford students.

“The special term will allow professors to design small projects that are not classical,” said Assistant Professor of Religious Studies Eric Mortensen.

The term would be approximately three weeks long and would allow students to focus exclusively on one project.

“The fall and spring semesters are busy, and we do not have time to be as focused in one area,” said Zerbe.

Malekoff believes that a benefit of the special term is that it will provide unique and special opportunities.

One such opportunity will involve the study abroad program. Zerbe explained that, out of last year’s graduating class, only 15 percent of Guilford students studied abroad. The special term would allow students to study abroad for close to a month, which could be more appealing or practical for some students compared to the approximately 12 weeks that is currently offered.

Yet challenges come with the nontraditional learning provided by the special term. At the faculty meeting this month the proposed calendar for 2013 was not approved, though this does not mean it was rejected. According to Chabotar, there were concerns voiced that could not fully be addressed at the meeting, especially the effect of the new calendar on fast-track courses.

Other concerns include cost of the term, faculty workload, how the term will be assessed, how will the committee know if the pilot worked, and of course how the calendar operates.

“These are legitimate concerns,” Chabotar said.

The term is optional for students to take and optional for faculty to teach. As of now, only the calendar and contents of the special term have been discussed. A revised calendar for 2013 will be presented for approval the second week of October.

Like all births, Guilford’s creation of a new term brings excitement, apprehension, anticipation, labor pains, and growth.