More than 200 Syracuse University students are predicted to enroll in classes over winter break through the Winterlude program this year, about double the number that signed up last year.

Registration for Winterlude, now in its second year, starts Wednesday. The program is ideal for students who want to boost their GPA, prepare for future study abroad or take advantage of credit opportunities, according to its website.

In its first year, Winterlude had 104 enrollments in five classes. Now in its second year with about three times as many course offerings, more than 200 students are anticipated to enroll in Winterlude, Chris Cofer, executive director of the Winterlude and Summer at Syracuse programs, said in an email.

“Winterlude provides students another opportunity in the management of their academic career,” Cofer said. “Getting ahead on credits was the most cited reason for Winterlude participation from survey responses last year.”

The program is open to SU and non-SU students, both full and part-time. Full-time SU students must obtain permission from an academic adviser before registering so they’re prepared for the condensed online course format, Cofer said. Part-time SU students and non-SU students do not require permission to enroll in a Winterlude course, he added. Once approved, students can choose one of the 16 online classes offered to earn three credits in the four-week period from Dec. 15 to Jan. 9, 2015.

Cofer said Winterlude “is a great way for students to stay on track, get ahead with their course work or improve their GPA.” He said the condensed online formats are popular because students are able to complete the courses while they are home on break.

The 16 online classes include a wide range of subjects, including ANT 185: “Global Encounters,” CFS 202: “Development of Children and Youth,” ECN 301: “Intermediate Microeconomics” and PHI 171: “Critical Thinking.”

The cost of one Winterlude course is $3,222, which is in addition to the regular spring semester tuition charges. Financial aid is available to students who demonstrate need and who are interested in taking a Winterlude course, according to the program’s website.

Philip Porter, a sophomore history major, said he plans on taking advantage of the courses offered through Winterlude. Porter will be registering for the NSD: 225: “Nutrition in Health” course.

“Winter break is over four weeks long, which is a really long break. It only makes sense to get some requirements out of the way,” Porter said. “Plus, through Winterlude you only have to focus on one class for those four weeks versus several classes during a regular semester.”

Aleah Shandles, a freshman television, radio and film major, and some other SU students are not registering for Winterlude courses simply because the classes did not interest or benefit them.

“I think it is a great opportunity for students who need to catch up on credits or knock out a necessary course for their major,” Shandles said. “They just didn’t offer any courses that would advance my major besides taking up an elective.”

Published on November 12, 2014 at 12:01 am

Contact Sara: smswann@syr.edu | @saramswann