3 Models
These three calendar models are the result of comprehensive research, local surveys, and collaborations with and across all district employee groups. Each model features unique elements that make it distinct as well as elements that are common for all three. We've done this to encourage conversations and to provoke thinking about what is possible.
The final calendar we recommend may be one of these models, but more likely we will draw the most promising elements from each model based on feedback we receive to develop a final calendar recommendation we believe will best serve students in their course completion, learning, and overall persistence.
For a full consideration of these models, we recommend consulting our FAQs, the Values & Impacts Survey, the Finals Week Survey, and the Guidelines and Resources that have informed our work. Please also visit our Webinar Archives page where you will find dates for and recordings of our Townhalls as well as links to provide feedback.
Below, we present each calendar model with a summary of its features and a video with explanations by members of the taskforce. The taskforce members who contributed to each video are not advocating for that particular model; instead, we’ve divided into teams simply to share the work of presenting and explaining each model. Furthermore, the explanations offered are not intended to be persuasive; instead, our intention is to again provoke thinking in preparation for our townhalls where a deliberation of these models and their downstream impacts can be held in full.
Calendar Model 1
Model 1 Summary
Calendar Type, Start/End, and Breaks
Compressed, flexible
Fall term: 3rd week of August to 2nd week of December
Spring term: last week of January to Memorial Day
Fall break in November; Spring break in March
Intersessions
Possible 4-week Winter
Possible 8-week Summer
FLEX and All College Day
Both terms begin with 3 days of FLEX and/or an All College Day events
Term Length, Time Blocks, and Finals
16 instructional weeks; meeting times will adjust due to the term length
Term ends with regularly scheduled class meetings instead of a "finals week"
78 weekdays and 16 Saturdays for fall and spring
Model 1 Overview
(click cc for subtitles)
Model 2
Model 2 Summary
Calendar Type, Start/End, and Breaks
Compressed (not flexible)
Fall term: 3rd week of August to 2nd week of December
Spring term: first week of February to the last week of May
Fall break in November; Spring break in March
Intersessions
Possible 4-week or 5-week Winter
Possible 8-week Summer
Department and College Conferences
No FLEX days; obligations for professional development would be negotiated in this model
Event days are scheduled for departments & associate faculty, an All College Day, and college conferences during Week 5
Term Length, Time Blocks, and Finals
16 instructional weeks; meeting times will adjust due to the term length
Term ends with regularly scheduled class meetings instead of a "finals week"
78 weekdays for fall, 77 for spring, and 16 Saturdays each term
Model 2 Overview
(click cc for subtitles)
Model 3
Model 3 Summary
Calendar Type, Start/End, and Breaks
Compressed, flexible (with Finals)
Fall term: 3rd week of August to 2nd week of December
Spring term: last week of January to the week before Memorial Day
Fall break in November; Spring break in March
Intersessions
Possible 4-week Winter
Possible 8-week Summer
FLEX and All College Day
Terms begin with 2 FLEX days (fall adds 1 All College Day) and end with 1 FLEX day
Term Length, Time Blocks, and Finals
15 instructional weeks; meeting times will adjust due to the term length
16th week will schedule Final exams; classes meet once for 2 hours
73 weekdays and 15 Saturdays and 6 days of Finals for fall and spring
Model 3 Overview
(click cc for subtitles)
