Summer 2012 marks a special milestone for the University of Nevada, Reno: its 100th year of providing Summer Session academic classes to students. The centennial year is almost unrecognizable compared to the 1912 version of the program, which has been notably transformed to enhance the academic opportunities provided for University students, evolving to keep pace with the changing times and cater to student needs.

It was originally incorporated into the University academic system specifically to increase the certificate standards of elementary school teachers and increase their efficiency.  At the time, only 12 courses were offered and 87 students were enrolled in the program. Now the program offers more than 550 classes and attracts about 7,000 students. During the last decade in particular, Kerri Garcia, the executive director of Summer Session and Academic Credit Programs, has seen the program expand significantly.

"A large number of students in a variety of majors take advantage of the opportunity to take a class or classes in a condensed-time format, so the Summer Session department and other University departments must work together strategically to offer the best slate of classes for students," Garcia said. "It's very useful in helping students work towards timely graduation."

Fred Holman, vice president of Extended Studies at the University, also recognizes that the availability of summer classes has helped students graduate in a timely manner, as evidenced by the University's 53 percent rate of students who graduate in six years or less.

"Summer Session contributes to helping students, regardless of their University status, stay on track toward the completion of degrees and certificates and enhances the University's efforts toward a 'culture of completion,'" Holman said. "The preliminary list of summer classes is available on the University website in November so students can plan their spring and summer classes at the same time, increasing the maneuverability of their schedules."

The 'culture of completion' Holman refers to is considered one of the essential elements inherent in the success of the University.

This influx in student's demands for summer class offerings has also led to expanded summer student services. Unlike in the past, University students now have the opportunity to live in residence halls during the summer and on-campus eateries and the Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center are open for longer hours. There has also been an increase in the number of summer online classes offered so students who are unsure of their summer plans can take classes from various locations.

"The availability of these services reflects the University's efforts in the last 100 years to support the need for a robust third academic term, which is 100-percent self-supported by the University," Garcia said. "It all helps boost overall academic student success."

Once considered an "extra" University academic offering, the student demand for summer classes has fostered the Summer Session's growth throughout the years and guaranteed its permanent existence in the future.

For more information or to register for classes, go to summersession.unr.edu.