Topeka ? The Kansas Board of Regents today approved a request from Kansas University to shorten its academic year from 150 instructional days to 146.

KU’s Interim Provost Danny Anderson said the change was needed to increase inter-session class opportunities and help some students who were seeking summer internships.

Officials also said the shorter year would more closely equalize minutes for classes that meet on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays with those that meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

“We are balancing multiple pieces,” Anderson said.

Some regents weren’t thrilled about the proposal. Ed McKechnie asked if the goal of balancing interests could be accomplished by adding more instructional days, and Christine Downey-Schmidt said “it feels a little funny” to shorten the year.

But other regents said the 146-day year was in line with what many other institutions are doing.

Under the measure, both the fall and spring semesters will have 73 days each. The change will take effect in the fall of 2011.