2009-10 calendar changes

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>Exams for Fall semester 2008 will be - as they have been for years - in mid to late January. Beginning Fall 2009, Harvard will shift to an earlier semester start to allow fall exams to conclude Dec. 21st.</p>

<p>For the coming year, there is a six-day break in January (Intersession) between the last Fall exam and the first day of Spring classes. But in 2009-10, Spring classes won't begin until January 25, creating a 35-day break between the end of Fall exams and start of Spring classes. Is the thinking that students will be on campus engaged in something during that time, or will there be a new break with a month free for . . . whatever?</p>

2

<p>Sounds like they're taking after MIT's IAP...good move on H's part.</p>

3

<p>Great question.</p>

<p>Wish I had an answer for you, but the administration hasn't made up their mind yet. Some students will definitely be in the dorms (i.e. athletes who have games + practices in January). But you will definitely not be required to be in residence. And there will be some sort of class/seminar/life skills offerings... but the details of which haven't been worked out (my guess is they won't be for credit).</p>