The Office of Extra-Sessional Studies (OESS) was created in 1975 to coordinate the administration of all extra-sessional credit courses and programs (except Independent Studies). The Office had responsibility for part-time degree programs offered during the late afternoon, evening, weekend, Spring Session and Summer Session. In 1977 it was given the additional responsibility of coordinating and organizing Directed Study Abroad credit courses. The academic staff of OESS consisted of a Director and an Associate Director. The Co-ordinating Committee of Extra-Sessional Studies was established in 1976 to assist the Director. The role of the Committee is to advise on long-range development plans, budget implications, guidelines regarding maximum units taken during the academic year, the financial implications of regular day student enrollment in evening classes, and other related academic matters. In 1991 Extra-Sessional Studies, along with the Centre for Continuing Education and Guided Independent Study (UBC Access), was brought under the authority of an Associate Vice-President, Continuing Studies. In 1993 all three units were merged into one unit called Continuing Studies.