The University of Newcastle is considering trimester and quarter models as part of possible changes to the academic calendar in a proposal that has sparked fierce student backlash.
The university is undertaking a "co-design process" to review its teaching calendar.
Deputy vice-chancellor (academic) Professor Mark Hoffman said the review was aimed at increasing flexibility, addressing timetable issues and helping students and staff "juggle the demands of life and study, along with institutional sustainability".
"In the first stage of our co-design, we asked students and staff what was important to them in considering an alternative academic calendar," Professor Hoffman said.
"We are now nearing completion of our second stage of co-design consultation, considering two alternative options: a trimester model and a quarter model, alongside the current calendar."
Professor Hoffman said the teaching calendar was based on a legacy model that included an asynchronous mix of semesters and trimesters, along with some summer and winter terms.
"We heard firsthand from our staff and students that the current calendar is complicated and that we should be able to do better," he said.
"Needs change over time, and we require a teaching calendar that is modern, fit-for-purpose and best supports our students and staff."
The university stressed that a decision had not been made and any changes would be notified to students and staff in advance.
But the proposed changes have attracted opposition from students.
University of Newcastle Law Students Association president Lachlan James said he "wasn't too pleased with the way it's been carried out".
"As president of UNLSA I've being speaking with all different students," he said. "Overwhelmingly the response is pretty negative."
The university's Education Society, Business and Commerce Association, Speech Pathology Student Society, Psychology Society, Engineering Society, Criminology & Criminal Justice Society and Law Students' Association have signed a joint statement objecting to trimesters.
They argue a trimester model would "significantly negatively impact the student body and our university's overall quality of education".
The societies raised concerns about the effect of reduced course time on learning, the impact on external placements, loss of flexibility and increased stress on students from reduced breaks.
"Overall, the undersigned student societies believe that a semester-based academic calendar is the most suitable model for the university," the statement said.
"It best supports the quality of education, allows for placements and paid employment, supports the cohort's wellbeing, and underpins the university's reputation."
Mr James said a big concern came from students who use the longer breaks to work significant hours.
"A large number of students use the summer breaks to move back home and will work full-time hours or more to save up to live on campus or in rentals over the semester," he said.
Mr James also said he felt the consultation process was a "box-checking" exercise.
For example, he said students felt they couldn't accurately respond to questions asked in the first of two university surveys.
An email from the university to students said the first survey was completed by more than 6500 students and revealed "over 40 per cent" of students felt more terms and compressed courses would likely or highly likely improve their flexibility and ability to balance their study load.
A second survey involving more than 5000 students found that trimesters were believed to offer more flexibility and manageable workloads, while quarters were preferred by students with caregiving responsibilities or those needing additional support.
But the university email said some students raised concerns in the survey about condensed study periods in trimester and quarter models, and the potential for rushed curriculums.
Separate surveys conducted by the University of Newcastle Law Students' Association and University of Newcastle Education Society found 93 per cent and 87.5 per cent of students respectively did not want a trimester model. A University of Newcastle Engineering Society survey found 97 per cent of respondents wanted semesters, while three per cent wanted trimesters.
