Academic calendars must be established at least four years in advance so that students may plan their schedules and University units may plan events. Changes in dates to previously approved calendars must be made at least two years before the start of the academic year of that calendar.
The proposed and approved calendars must meet the requirements stated in section A and B below.
A. Fall and Spring Semesters
The academic calendar has a fall and a spring semester, each of which includes a minimum of 70 days of instruction, a maximum of 75 days of instruction, and approximately one week of final examinations (including Saturdays but not Sundays).
Courses shorter or longer than the semester are subject to the approval of appropriate college or academic unit review committees.
B. Summer Term
The academic calendar has a summer term, which has May and summer sessions. A May session includes a minimum of 14 instructional days. Summer term starts after spring term is complete and concludes prior to the first day of fall semester.
No college or academic unit will be obligated to offer courses during summer term.
C. Revisions of Calendars
Requests for changes in dates to previously approved Twin Cities/Rochester and Morris calendars must be submitted to the Senate Committee on Educational Policy at least two years in advance of that academic year.
All calendars and any subsequent revisions or exceptions must be approved by faculty governance.
Exclusions
This policy is not applicable to the Duluth campus.
Professional schools are permitted to have calendars that vary from the requirements of this policy.
Reason for Policy
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. This policy implements requirements of federal financial aid regulations.
Procedures
There are no procedures associated with this policy.
Forms/Instructions
There are no forms associated with this policy.
Appendices
There are no appendices associated with this policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can each 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 Faculty Senate for information only. The University of Minnesota, Rochester follows the Twin Cities academic calendar.
Can instructors assign work to students prior to the beginning of the academic term?
No. Instructors cannot assign work until the term starts.
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.
When may a school or program have a calendar that varies from the campus calendar?
Schools and programs must follow the standard, approved campus calendar with an exception provided for professional school programs (i.e., D.D.S., D.V.M, J.D., L.L.M., M.D., Pharm.D. degrees).
Associate Director, Continuity & Compliance - Academic Support Resources
Definitions
There are no definitions associated with this policy.
Responsibilities
Campus Office of the Registrar or Campus Calendar Contact
Submits the academic calendar proposal annually to the Senate Committee on Educational Policy.
Faculty Senate
Reviews and approves final academic calendars (Twin Cities/Rochester and Morris); receives Crookston and Duluth calendars for information.
Senate Committee on Educational Policy (SCEP)
Reviews and approves final academic calendars (Twin Cities/Rochester and Morris) prior to forwarding to the Faculty Senate for approval.
Related Information
Campus Calendar Information
University calendars are available on the University Senate office website once approved. Each campus publishes dates and deadlines on their One Stop website.
April 2019 - Comprehensive Review, Minor Revision. 1. Incorporates minor edits to improve understandability and removes the December 23rd date for end of fall term due to equity concerns. 2. Re-wrote summer term section to increase accuracy across all our campuses and remove extraneous information about sessions.
Amended:
December 2009 - Policy now applies to the Crookston campus.
Administrative Policy