<p>Just heard that FSU may break from the lock step of Florida universities and implement a "Winter Term" or "January Term" similar to such terms at MIT, UVA and Oberlin.</p>
<p>The purpose of the term would be to allow for overseas study, community projects and independent research.</p>
<p>The term would be for both students and faculty.</p>
<p>How does the time table differ for start/end term dates?</p>
<p>Here's how UVA does it: <a href="http://www.virginia.edu/januaryterm/%5B/url%5D">http://www.virginia.edu/januaryterm/</a></p>
<p>And MIT's method: <a href="http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/topic/iap.html%5B/url%5D">http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/topic/iap.html</a></p>
<p>Oberlin's Winter Term: <a href="http://www.oberlin.edu/winterterm/%5B/url%5D">http://www.oberlin.edu/winterterm/</a></p>
<p>As to how FSU will implement it, it's too early to tell.</p>
<p>My LAC had a winter term. It was either 4 or 5 weeks, and was a great opportunity for research, alternative classes, and for those that could afford it, study abroad or extended field trips (think archeological dig, etc). I enjoyed my winter terms immensely, and was disappointed to learn that my LAC had done away with them. </p>
<p>This would set them apart, and I do think students would benefit from the type of experiences it allows. And if all else fails, its a concentrated time to take a single class and be immersed.</p>
<p>So if you're not doing full-time research or studying abroad and are just enrolled as a student, all you do is take a single class for a couple of weeks?</p>