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 Hot
topic: Calendar |
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| The following articles and Web sites deal with changes to Penn State's academic calendar. 2005 For the full story, click here. November 7, 2002 University officials have finalized the academic year calendar for the next six years, including changes to the fall semester that will result in a more compact and efficient teaching and learning term for faculty and students alike beginning in 2003. The new calendar reflects adaptations recommended by the University Faculty Senate -- with consultation from the Undergraduate Student Government and members of the community -- which were approved by President Graham B. Spanier earlier this year. For the full story by Tysen Kendig, click here. April
18, 2002 Two years of discussion and debate over Penn State's academic year calendar have culminated with President Graham B. Spanier's implementation of a calendar revision that will impact the number of instructional, examination and study days each fall semester. This decision, effective for the fall 2003 term, comes after careful consideration of recommendations sent to Spanier by the University's Faculty Senate on Feb. 26, as well as input from the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) and members of the community. For the full story by Tysen Kendig, plus a statement from President Spanier and a calendar chronology, click here. March
14, 2002 The University calendar will undergo a metamorphosis as early as fall 2003 if President Graham B. Spanier approves the proposal passed by the University Faculty Senate late last month. The proposed calendar would combine the existing fall break and Thanksgiving break into one full week of vacation at Thanksgiving time. Also, fall and spring semesters each would consist of 72 instructional days and a period of four "final assessment days" would conclude each semester. These recommendations have been sent to the president after more than a year of study and debate. For the full story, click here. February
21, 2002 The University calendar leads the agenda for the next University Faculty Senate meeting, scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, in 112 Kern Graduate Building, University Park. The advisory/consultative report on the topic will culminate in a vote on five recommendations: having fall and spring semesters consist of 72 instructional days; establishing four final assessment days at the end of each semester; revising Senate Policy 44-20 (final examination) to endorse the concept of multiple forms of final assessment; reconfiguring the summer session to allow for designated assessment days; and consolidating fall break and Thanksgiving recess into one week. For the full story, click here. October
5, 2000 Instead of visiting friends and family, 25 University students will spend fall break expanding their awareness of social issues through community service in Philadelphia. They will be participating in the second annual Fall Break Urban Experience Service Weekend Oct. 6 -9, coordinated by the Council of Lion Hearts through Penn State's AT&T Center for Service Leadership. For the full story, click here. June
15, 2000 The days from mid-May through early June on the University Park campus have traditionally been a quiet time, when locals take advantage of short lines at the Creamery, residence halls turn silent and late spring breezes envelop the smattering of students relaxing on the Old Main lawn with a book. While that atmosphere still remains mostly intact, the buzz of students shuffling to class is at a higher volume than usual this early in the summer. The increased student presence is attributed to a new, more practical academic summer schedule implemented this year. For the full story, click here. June
17, 1999 Changes in the University calendar last year mean that fall semester classes at all Penn State locations will begin on Tuesday, Aug. 24 -- a day earlier than usual. For the full story, click here. November
5, 1998 University President Graham B. Spanier has approved a Faculty Senate recommendation to include two class-free days in Penn State's academic calendar in mid-October, starting in 1999. The Senate endorsed the proposal at its Oct. 27 meeting. According to the University administration's implementation plan, the two-day break will be held on Monday and Tuesday in the eighth week of the fall semester. The break will begin in 1999 on Oct. 11-12. In 2000, it will fall on Oct. 9-10; in 2001, on Oct. 8-9; in 2002, on Oct. 14-15; and in 2003, on Oct. 13-14. For the full story, click here. October
22, 1998 Two class-free days may be added to Penn State's academic calendar in mid-October, starting in 1999, if the University Faculty Senate endorses a proposal up for consideration at its Oct. 27 meeting and if the University administration adopts the proposal. The two days are not being called a "fall break," however, because the inclusion of two class-free days on the calendar would not mean two days off for Penn State faculty and staff. If the proposal is adopted, classes will not be held, but faculty and staff will be on the job as usual. Nor would the calendar change have a major impact on the number of hours students spend in class. If the proposal is adopted, the University will start its academic calendar a day earlier than it currently does. Even with the change, Penn State will still be tied for the No. 1 spot among Big Ten universities in the number of class hours taught each semester. For the full story, click here. August
15, 1996 Starting with the fall 1997 semester, Penn State's academic year will begin about a week later in August than it currently begins. The change means that students will have more time for wrapping up summer jobs, work/study programs or internships -- or even going on vacation -- before they and their families have to pack their bags for the trek back to State College or other Penn State locations. Under this permanent change, fall 1997's arrival day for new students will be Aug. 23 and classes will begin on Aug. 27 -- in both cases, six calendar days later than in fall 1996. For the full story, click here. Back to Hot Topics index |