ASU announces changes to the academic calendar beginning with the spring 2012 semester. The following should help answer common questions.
The revised academic calendar will consist of a fall semester with three components, a spring semester with three components and a summer semester with three components:
Fall A: first 7.5-week session in fall semester
Fall B: second 7.5-week session in fall semester
Fall C: full fall semester (15 weeks)
Spring A: first 7.5-week session in spring semester
Spring B: second 7.5-week session in spring semester
Spring C: full spring semester (15 weeks)
Summer A: first 6-week session in summer
Summer B: second 6-week session in summer
Summer C: full summer session (8 weeks)
Spring
The spring semester of 2012 will be the first semester taught with the two 7.5-week sessions (spring A, spring B) included in the usual 15-week time period (spring C). A notable change will be that the semester will start earlier in January (Jan. 5) and end earlier in May.
Spring A: Thursday, Jan. 5 – Friday, Feb. 24, 2012
Spring B: Wednesday, Feb. 29 – Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Spring C: Thursday, Jan. 5 – Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Spring C finals: Thursday, April 26 - Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Spring break for all sessions: Monday, March 19 – Sunday, March 25, 2012
Graduate commencement: Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Undergraduate commencement: Thursday, May 3, 2012
Summer
The summer semester of 2012 will consist of two six-week sessions and one eight-week session.
Summer A: Monday, May 21 – Friday, June 29 (6 weeks)
Summer B: Thursday, July 5 – Tuesday, August 14 (6 weeks)
Summer C: Monday, May 21 – Friday, July 13 (8 weeks)
Fall
The fall semester for 2011 will not have any change in the start and end dates, nor will the additional sessions begin in the fall of 2011. Courses in fall 2012 will be available on the usual 15-week schedule as in the past at ASU, and in two 7.5-week sessions (fall A, fall B) within the 15-week period of the fall semester. There will be a two-day fall break in the middle of the fall semester to accommodate the posting of grades and enrollment matters in preparation for the fall B session. This fall break will occur for all students, including those in 15-week classes.
The fall 2012 semester will begin on Aug. 23, 2012.
Fall A: Thursday, Aug. 23 – Friday, Oct. 12
Fall B: Wednesday, Oct. 17 – Tuesday, Dec. 11
Fall C: Thursday, Aug. 23 – Tuesday, Dec. 11
Fall C finals: Thursday, Dec. 13 – Wednesday, Dec. 19
Fall break for all sessions: Saturday, Oct. 13 – Tuesday, Oct. 16
Graduate commencement: Wednesday, Dec. 19
Undergraduate commencement: Thursday, Dec. 20
Winter
There will no longer be a winter session.
Examination Periods
In each of the shorter sessions (the A and B sessions in fall and spring and in all of the summer sessions), the final examination period is included in the start and end dates (i.e., there is no separate finals period). There is a separate examination period only only for those courses offered in fall and spring on the 15-week schedule.
The College of Law will continue to have its own calendar, which includes additional days for final examinations.
Yes. Faculty members who teach in either the A or B summer session or the full eight-week session will still be compensated based on the existing policy for summer salary.
Yes. In spring of 2012, all sessions will be on break for the week of March 19-25. In addition, as noted above, there will be a two-day break between the A and B sessions in both fall and spring semesters. The break between the A and B sessions in the spring semester does not affect those teaching or students enrolled in 15-week courses.
Yes. This is possible if your department chair/school director/dean agrees, and if the classroom scheduling by the department/school/college ensures the same size room will be used at the same time in both the A and B sessions. Departments will need to follow the standard times that will be set up for the A and B sessions. If a department offers an in-person section in an A session, the department will need to offer a class of the same size in the following B session. The department will need to indicate which classes are to be matched in the A and B sessions via e-mail by the deadline for each schedule build.
Terms of appointment do not change with the schedule change, nor does the traditional academic year beginning and end dates. Faculty members are expected to be available from August 16 through May 15, as in the past.
No. There will still be six pay periods in the summer as the term of appointment has not changed. Those earning salary from grants and contracts may continue to receive their compensation as in the past.
Actually, with the new calendar, faculty can find more time to craft well written proposals. For example, if a faculty member needs December and January to work on a proposal, one option is to teach in fall A and spring B, using fall B and spring A to focus extra attention on grant writing and research. Faculty should work with their chairs/directors to develop teaching schedules that advance the mission of the department and college, including the research mission.
No. Faculty members are still governed by the same policies on consulting and other remunerative activities as they have been in the past.
No. There are no changes. Faculty who teach in the A and B sessions will have their teaching abilities evaluated the same way as they have in the past.
No. Unless you are on sabbatical or another form of leave for the semester or year, you are required to be available and present for service responsibilities and meetings as may be called by the chair/director, dean or other appropriate person. If you have no responsibilities on any given day and wish to work from home or another location, that is acceptable. If you are going to be away from the city, you will need the normal approvals for travel and absences.
During the A and B sessions, academic status reports will be sent once near the middle of each session. There will still be two academic status reports during C sessions.
Yes. The standard meeting time for such a class is 4:40 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. with two 20-minute breaks.