Elon University announced the creation of another term for the 2020-2021 academic year, where students who missed out on winter term experiences could take them at a later date.

In a weekly coronavirus update email from Vice President for Student Life Jon Dooley, the creation of a new “May Term” was announced. The shorter semester will be similar to Winter Term, and will take place in May. 

May Term will focus on students that lost opportunities to study abroad, participate in an internship or take additional classes. Students who had signed up for study abroad programs during Winter 2021 received an email from Provost Aswani Volety with additional details about the new term.


“Recognizing that the study abroad program is one of our premiere experiences here, we want to make sure that the students do get an experience,” Volety said in an interview with Elon News Network. 

All study abroad programs meant to take place in Winter 2021 were cancelled July 13 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Students who were registered to study abroad during Winter 2021 will have preference signing up for May Term programs.

Senior Clara Mueller hoped to study abroad in New Zealand during Winter Term. She said she received the email announcing the creation of May Term, but she is still unsure whether or not to take the opportunity.

“I think it could be a good idea. I mean, it depends on what’s going on during J-Term,” Mueller said. “I don’t really know what’s happening with J-Term, if it’s gonna be three days or if it’s just not gonna happen. But if May term is a substitute for a J-Term, I’m honestly for it.”

Volety said the pandemic is still a major factor in whether or not May Term will go off as planned.

“We recognize that this is not perfect,” Volety said. “Let’s say, some students may have lined up a job or internship right after graduation and they may not be able to go. Or some people might say, ‘Hey, no, [...] I want to go out and finish my experience.”