Guidelines for Setting the Academic Calendar
Length of Semesters
The current semester configuration shall be two fifteen-week semesters, including a four-day reading period (normally Thursday through Sunday); with an additional five-day period (Monday through Friday) for final examinations.
Summer Session shall include five terms: Terms I and II (6 weeks each), Term A (8 weeks), and Terms B and C (four weeks each). [Approved by Faculty Senate 10-15-90; revision, 12/2/91, revision 11/20/2001]
Beginning and Ending of Semesters
Fall
The Fall Semester will end no later than December 20, requiring a semester beginning date which will accommodate the prescribed length of the term.
The Fall Semester will begin on a Monday, unless that Monday is Labor Day, in which case the semester will begin the following day.
Spring
The Spring Semester will begin on the birthday observance for Martin Luther King Jr. Classes will begin on the Tuesday following the birthday observance for Martin Luther King Jr.
The Spring Semester will end on a date which will accommodate the prescribed length of the term.
Summer
Term I shall begin on the Monday following the last day of finals in Spring semester for a duration of six weeks.
Term II shall begin on the Monday following the end of Term I and shall end six weeks later on a Friday.
Term A shall begin on the Monday five weeks after the start of Term I and shall end eight weeks later on a Friday.
Term B shall begin on the same Monday as Term A and end four weeks later on a Friday.
Term C shall begin on the Monday after the end of Term B and shall end four weeks later on a Friday.
Semester Breaks
A one-day Fall Semester break will be set on the Monday of the eighth week of classes.
A one-week Spring Semester break will be set after the eighth week of classes (mid-term).
Holidays
The following will be observed as academic holidays:
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving and the Friday following Thanksgiving
- Martin Luther King Jr. birthday holiday
- Memorial Day (official observance)
- Independence Day or the weekday of the staff bonus day, (July 3 or 5) whichever is applicable
(Revision adopted by Faculty Senate 11/2/92)
