Changes to UW-Madison’s Academic Calendar were approved by the Faculty Senate, resulting in no exams being held on Commencement Day, among other small amendments.
These changes, taking effect in 2017, coincide with those made last October. The 2015 changes included a reset to the beginning of the spring semester by working back from commencement—always held the second Saturday in May.
New adjustments also include eliminating a Friday start day for the fall semester, as well as professors’ four-week overlap between the spring and summer semesters.
Under these new changes, Wednesday will always be the first day of the fall semester and Tuesday the first day of the spring semester. Semesters end sooner, resulting in a larger time frame between the final fall exam and winter break. The larger gap between fall and spring semesters will allow professors and TAs more time to process and grade exams.
The calendar adjustment came from the suggestions of two working groups, Chancellor Rebecca Blank, Provost Sarah Mangelsdorf and the Faculty Senate.
