SAU Unveils New Academic Calendar
posted on: July 11, 2008
Re-energized during preparations for the Higher Learning Commission's accreditation visit, the Academic Calendar committee took the opportunity to assess how business gets done at SAU. The resulting changes make what was a "functional calendar structure," says SAU Registrar Daniel Zeimet, into one that will better serve students and the campus community.
One of two changes taking effect during the 2008-09 academic year is a repositioning of spring break.
"Spring break was not scheduled at the true middle of the semester," Zeimet says. The former configuration proved difficult for half-semester course schedules, and feedback from students and faculty members indicated a desire for this shift, creating more consistency between pre- and post-break class time.
Another change: the traditional Sunday spring commencement ceremony, which often fell on Mother's Day.
"A Saturday ceremony is more in keeping with St. Ambrose's 'family-oriented' culture," says Zeimet. "Committee members felt the opportunity to spend Mother's Day with family was important." He also points out that graduates' extended family members often faced the difficult choice to attend commencement or "celebrate the day with Mom." And once again, more consistency is achieved, with fall and spring commencement ceremonies now taking place on the same day of the week.
Starting with the 2009-10 academic year, fall classes will begin earlier, with new student move-in dates shifting from Friday to the weekend, "an easier arrangement for parents," says Zeimet. Moving in earlier will also allow two days for new-student orientation, activities, and access to various campus offices, as well as giving all students eight days of classes prior to the Labor Day weekend. "We believe that, with more days 'under their belt,’ new students especially will be a little deeper into the rhythm of college life before they take their first break."
Another change for 2009-10 will see a suspension of classes during Thanksgiving week, thus creating a fall break—and once again increase the consistency between the fall and spring semesters.
"This change was well supported by both faculty and students," says Zeimet.
Finally, he says, setting subsequent academic calendars that take the university into 2012 allows for better long-term planning. "This is a very forward-thinking tool that supports our university's mission, goals and vision."