Academic semester (Macalester)

from the Macalester Public Knowledge Base

pastrocdom

Macalester College follows a semester calendar. The fall semester starts the first wednesday of September and ends mid-December, after 15 weeks of classes. The spring semester starts the third monday of January and ends early May, after 15 weeks of classes.

Summer session starts in early June and ends mid-August. Research projects and internships are conducted on an individual basis during summer, but no regular classes are held.

As a rule of thumb, student organization activities cease during breaks and summers, as participation is unpredictable. The one recent exception was the Diversity Weekend planning committee for 2004, which did the bulk of its planning over summer, based on the participants of the Mellon Minority Undergradute Research Fellowship program.

For more information, please visit the registrar's office website

[edit] Breaks

Fall break: is a four day break during the third week of October, from thursday to sunday.
Thanksgiving break: is a four day break during thanksgiving weekend, from thursday to sunday.
Spring break: is a weeklong break during the third week of March, from Saturday to Sunday. No meals are provided during spring break.
Winter break: is a two week break immediately following the fall semester. Residence halls are closed to students during winter break, with the exception of athletes and RAs.
January term: (or j-term) is a three week session during which students meeting specific criteria may choose to stay in the residence halls. Students conduct research, internships, or work during j-term. No regular classes are held during j-term.