<p>Dartmouth’s D-plan does more than “encourage” students to attend during the summer; it requires that they be in attendance during their sophomore summer term. They are then able to be off-campus during one other regular term of their choosing.</p>
<p>This is sort of one college’s attempt at year-round schooling, and it comes with both pros as cons.</p>
<p>Pros: It makes more efficient use of the facilities and modestly reduces the need for housing, since a portion of the student body will be off-campus in any given quarter. It also gives students the chance to pursue internships, jobs, or other interests during times of the year when students at other colleges are all in class - leaving the market all to themselves.</p>
<p>Cons: It creates a lot of discontinuities, both academic and especially social. The bonding with classmates is reduced and the creation of residence House loyalty and cohesiveness is impossible with everybody coming and going on different schedules.</p>