Academic Calendars: Twin Cities, Crookston, Morris, Rochester

• Updated: December 2009
• Primary Contact : Tina Falkner

Academic calendars will be established at least four years in advance so that students may plan their schedules and University units may plan events. Revisions to approved calendars must be made no less than two years before the date the calendar goes into effect.

A. Fall and Spring Semesters

1. There will be two semesters, each of which will include a minimum of 70 days of instructions, a maximum of 75 days of instruction, and approximately one week of final examinations (including Saturdays but not Sundays).
2. For the fall semester, the exam period will end no later than December 23.
3. Colleges and campuses may authorize courses shorter or longer than the semester, subject to the approval of appropriate college or academic unit curriculum review committees.
4. Professional schools are permitted to have calendars that vary from the requirements of this policy.

B. Summer Term

1. Departments may schedule a three-week May session following the end of the spring semester and before the summer session. No department will be obligated to offer courses or academic work during this three-week session.
2. There will be a standard eight-week summer session. No department will be obligated to offer courses or academic work during this eight-week session. Departments and programs may deliver courses over either shorter or longer periods of time and with starting and ending dates that differ from the standard eight-week and May sessions.

C. Revisions of Calendars

All calendars and any subsequent revisions or exceptions must be approved by the Faculty Senate.

Exclusions

This policy is not applicable to the Duluth campus.

Establishing an academic calendar at least four years in advance allows students to plan their degree programs and enables University units to schedule events at times that do not conflict with other key activities.

There are no procedures related to this policy.

There are no forms related to this policy.

There are no definitions related to this policy.

Office of the Registrar

Submits the academic calendar proposal annually to the Faculty Senate.

Faculty Senate

Reviews and approves final University calendar.

There are no appendices related to this policy.

1. Can each of the campus set its own academic calendar?

   Yes, each campus is responsible for setting its own academic calendar. The Faculty Senate approves the University of Minnesota, Morris and University of Minnesota, Twin Cities calendars. The University of Minnesota, Duluth and University of Minnesota, Crookston calendars are transmitted to the University Senate for information only. ***The process for the University of Minnesota, Rochester is yet to be determined.

2. Can instructors assign work to students prior to the beginning of the academic term?

   No. Instructors cannot assign work until the term starts.

3. Does the University of Minnesota hold regularly scheduled classes the day before a holiday?

   Yes, scheduled classes, including evening classes, are held the day before a holiday. For example, classes are held the Wednesday evening before the Thanksgiving holiday. Refer to the current academic calendar for University holidays.

• Current Academic Calendar

Amended:

December 2009 - Policy now applies to the Crookston campus.

Effective:

April 2009