EP.05.29
December 5, 2005

SYNOPSIS OF POLICIES GOVERNING THE ACADEMIC CALENDAR AT UIUC

Preface

While this document is the one that has been approved by the Senate, there are two accompanying documents: 1) the background to the proposed revisions to the Synopsis of Policies, and 2) the existing Synopsis.
Basic Pattern

The calendar is designed such that as long as the current pattern of academic holidays continues, calendars will have, in each regular semester, at least 72 instructional weekdays plus at least 13 Saturdays on which classes may be scheduled. In each semester classes are to meet on at least 14 Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. There are to be at least 13 unbroken instructional weeks (i.e., M-F).

This synopsis of policies will begin for the 2008-2009 academic year.

Policies

1. General Policies for Fall and Spring Semesters
1.1 There shall be no fewer than 14 of each instructional day per semester and 13 weeks that have five full weeks of instruction (M-F).
1.2 A reading day shall immediately precede the first day of Final Examinations.
1.3 There shall be 18 3-hour Final Examination periods scheduled, with 3 periods each day and none on Saturday or Sunday.

2. Fall Semester
2.1 Classes shall begin on Monday 13 weeks before Thanksgiving week. If this pattern causes classes to begin before August 22, then classes shall begin on Monday 12 weeks before Thanksgiving week.
2.2 Classes shall not be held on Labor Day or during the week in which Thanksgiving occurs.
2.3 Final Examinations shall end on Friday 3 weeks after Thanksgiving week. If classes begin on Monday 12 weeks before Thanksgiving week, then Final Examinations shall end on Friday 4 weeks after Thanksgiving week.

3. Spring Semester
3.1 Classes shall begin on Monday 8 weeks after Thanksgiving week. If Monday 8 weeks after Thanksgiving week is a holiday, then classes will begin on Tuesday 8 weeks after Thanksgiving week.
3.2 Classes shall not be held on Martin Luther King Day or during a Spring Vacation that will be scheduled for either the ninth or tenth week of the semester.
3.3 Final Examinations shall end on Friday of the 24th week after Thanksgiving week.

4. Summer Session 1
4.1 Classes shall begin on Monday 25 weeks after Thanksgiving week.
4.2 Classes shall not be held on Memorial Day.
4.3 There is not a designated reading day for Summer Session 1.
4.4 Final Examinations shall be held during the final meeting of the class or on the day immediately following the final class meeting at the scheduled class meeting time.
4.5 Final Examinations shall end on or before Saturday of the 28th week after Thanksgiving week.

5. Summer Session 2
5.1 Classes shall begin on Monday 29 weeks after Thanksgiving week.
5.2 Classes shall not be held on Independence Day.
5.3 A reading day shall immediately precede the first day of Final Examinations.
5.4 There shall be 9 2-hour Final Examination periods with 4 periods on the last day.
5.5 Final Examinations shall end on or before Saturday of the 36th week after Thanksgiving week.


Senate Committee on Educational Policy
Abbas Aminmansour, Chair