<p>I can understand why the BCS championship doesn’t take the place of the Rose Bowl Jan 1st game (which is Pac 10 vs Big 10), but I can’t understand why it’s not on the first Saturday after the Jan 1st. That would be the best day.</p>
<p>However, I see your point. But, too many Pac 10 and Big 10 schools would pitch a bloody fit if the Jan 1 Rose Bowl game became the BCS Championship game.</p>
<p>After this crazy situation, it would seem like Dr. Judy Bonner will think about changing the school calendar for future bowl accomodations - since many other schools already start later in January and aren’t affected at all.</p>
<p>Dr. Bonner is probably considering the impact of bowl games on future calendars, but I doubt anything will change. Before 1947, Alabama could and did play in Rose Bowls. I’m not a fan of the bowl system, especially when it is always a certain conference playing a certain conference, some variety is nice.</p>
<p>I’m going to throw out there that I think UA is starting classes pretty early for Spring Semester. Looking at some other Southern university schedules, Vanderbilt and University of TN don’t return until 1/13; this logistical issue might not be an issue anywhere else, even if the game is on a Thursday, because other schools don’t return until a week later. </p>
<p>FWIW, UA classes are scheduled to end on April 30th with exams 5/3-7; U TN has their last day of classes on April 30th with exams 5/4-11 & Vandy ends classes on 4/27 with exams 4/28-5/6. So if UA starts classes on 1/11 they still have a longer semester than neighboring state universities.</p>
<p>The only bowl game that Dr. Bonner needs to really worry about is the BCS championship game. The other bowl games that UA would ever likely qualify are during the break (like the Sugar Bowl). I don’t think the US is ever going to go back to pre-1947 bowl games. lol </p>
<p>There was a time when there were only like 5 bowl games; now there are like 35 bowl games. Because of cable sports channels (how many does ESPN have!!???), there is just this huge financial incentive to have more and more bowl games. </p>
<p>BTW…as for variety…there are a few bowl games that don’t follow a guideline of who to match with who. Those ones pride themselves on putting together some more interesting matchups.</p>
<p>*I’m going to throw out there that I think UA is starting classes pretty early for Spring Semester. Looking at some other Southern university schedules, Vanderbilt and University of TN don’t return until 1/13; this logistical issue might not be an issue anywhere else, even if the game is on a Thursday, because other schools don’t return until a week later. </p>
<p>FWIW, UA classes are scheduled to end on April 30th with exams 5/3-7; U TN has their last day of classes on April 30th with exams 5/4-11 & Vandy ends classes on 4/27 with exams 4/28-5/6. So if UA starts classes on 1/11 they still have a longer semester than neighboring state universities. *</p>
<p>That’s what I’ve been noticing, too, as I’ve surfed various schools calendars. UA has just been starting back too soon, but ending when everyone else is ending. I don’t know why??? It’s not as if UA has to include extra days as possible snow days. Some schools have the entire month of January off, and they offer mini-classes during that time for those who want them.</p>
<p>So, perhaps the answer is to just permanently move back the start of the second semester. I’m sure the kids would like a longer winter break :)</p>
<p>Does the calendar allow for extra days for the Easter holiday? Many schools do not allow extra days for Easter; while some offer both Good Friday and the following Monday. Are you sure that there are no other breaks/or perhaps an extra day or two added for spring break? Several of our student’s friends attend Bama, but their Spring Break has never coincided, much less ending times for the semester. Go figure! Our student’s first day is Jan 12, 2010.</p>
<p>Not sure about other schools, but UA’s calendar is based on a regular semester of 15 weeks of instruction, 1 week of exams, and 1 1/2 weeks for in-semester break.</p>
<p>strange as it may sound living here, but i happen to agree that the school should not cancel classes (as i said in my previous post…much to my chagrin) I do think it would be reasonable to excuse students who do actually attend BUT the flip side and reality is… they are going to close school… so kids who want to or can change their flights can spend a few more days at home (that’s a good thing), kids in alabama can do the same. (that’s a good thing)… dorms will be open so those who cant change plans, will be fine and will get all caught up in bama fever on campus (thats a good thing) and kids who do get to go to the game can cheer on their team without worrying about school (another good thing)
when they have cancelled high school due to state championships, i am in the minority with my complaint, of having to find day care for younger kids, usually ended up taking them to work with us. I have found it to be a big inconvenience but football pride seems to make most here very comfortable with it.</p>
<p>*I do think it would be reasonable to excuse students who do actually attend *</p>
<p>I think that is the part that they knew would be “iffy” since some kids will go to Calif with hopes of purchasing scalped tickets, but they may not be actually able to get any. Those kids wouldn’t be able to “prove” their intent. </p>
<p>Plus, many classes don’t take roll anyway. By having classes on those days, the school can’t control whether any relevant material was presented, and therefore missed by those who went to the game.</p>
<p>I think that in the end, UA is going to have to realize that it is rather unique that it starts the spring semester so early. Other schools have scheduled start dates on Jan 11th or later. That is probably what needs to change.</p>
<p>why? this isnt something that happens every year and causes a problem, its a once in a while thing… if the school semester starts when it starts… that should be fine, people know the schedule. my younger will be back to school (hs) right after new years and most schools here will be also. alabama schools (ie elementary schools, high schools etc) usually start sooner than others ie northern schools, ie school starts early august but gets out end of may. I can remember school always started after labor day where i grew up. I think its a long standing tradition that was due to heat (prior to a/c) and farming/cotton planting.</p>
<p>Except in this rare occasion, UA’s schedule works great. Note too that UA could have decided to start on Monday the 4th instead of Wednesday the 7th, but didn’t, saving people a good amount of money in airfare. Farming is the reason why schools originally took summer off is probably the reason why UA starts in early August. Of course, UA could switch to the quarter system and have school late September to early June with 2 month long breaks in between, but I’d doubt people in AL would go for that. Traditions die hard.</p>
<p>i’m with you seatide as my post above says… my why was… why change the schools schedule? this will all work fine, even with the cancelling (especially if they win!)</p>
<p>I don’t know why it seems like every person – not to mention, the media – is making such a huge deal out of this.</p>
<p>Yeah, so the first couple days of classes were canceled…Well, in my 5 semesters here, I only remember ONE professor that actually began covering material the first day of class. Professors usually just explain the syllabus and let the class leave half an hour early anyway. It’s not like students are actually missing anything.</p>
<p>Honestly, I think part of the whole complaint is just that it perpetuates an image among people who should know better. “Oh, you know down there in Alabama they cancel classes for football. What a bunch of redneck hicks.” Well, if that’s what they let themselves believe, then they’re too stupid to reason with anyway.</p>
<p>Yes, I feel very strongly about this issue.</p>
<p>I was only suggesting that UA should consider changing the start date because Nick is such an effective recruiter that UA could possibly repeat a national playoff a few times in the coming years. </p>
<hr>
<p>jrt…</p>
<p>Classes do NOT start early August (people, be careful what you write! ). The first day of class is August 18th. </p>
<p>For spring semester, final exams are held the first week of May.</p>
<p>The confusion about the dates is because freshmen can arrive earlier for many activities before classes start - such as Sorority Rush, Roll Tide on the River, Alabama Action, and WOW week.</p>
<p>And what principle is that? It’s not like the kids are really going to lose out education-wise. I doubt at the end of the semester there will be a measureable difference between those who had a certain class during the fall semester vs this slightly shortened semester. Do you really think there will be a difference?</p>
<p>The principle is that this move gives off (more like reeks of) the perception that UA is all about football and everything else is just gravy. And in this world, perception is reality. You ought to know that from the responses you get every time you bring up UA in the other parts of this forum.</p>
). The first day of class is August 18th. </p>