Faculty and staff at UNC School of the Arts are continuing to prepare for a big change to the school's academic calendar.
Beginning in the fall, students will switch from trimesters to semesters so that the school's academic calendar will be more aligned with other schools in the UNC system.
Chancellor John Mauceri told the school's board of trustees Friday that the two-year process involved reviewing every course. "Absolutely everything had to be looked at," he said.
The switch to semesters will allow the school to offer summer sessions, something that is not possible under the current schedule.
As it is now, students may take a five- or six-week workshop, but these are not considered academic courses, said Marla Carpenter, a school spokeswoman.
Next year's spring semester will end in early May. Currently, the spring trimester ends in late May.
School officials hope to begin offering courses next summer.
School officials also announced that Alan Menken, an Academy Award-winning composer, will speak at the commencement ceremonies for the high school and college May 28 at the Stevens Center.
Menken has won eight Academy Awards, more than any other living individual. He is best known for writing the score for Disney films, including "Beauty and the Beast," "Pocahontas" and "The Little Mermaid."
Menken also will be awarded an honorary degree.
Charlie Lucas, chairman of the board, said school officials still don't know how the UNC system will be affected by state budget cuts. A proposal by the N.C. House of Representatives calls for about a 17.5 percent decrease in state funding.
"But we're very early in the process," Lucas said. "We have absolutely no idea what will happen to the state's budget, and we have absolutely no idea what will happen to us."
Mauceri said the search continues for a dean of dance to replace Ethan Stiefel, who is stepping down this summer to become artistic director of the Royal New Zealand Ballet. Several good candidates have applied, Mauceri said.
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