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University Policies

University Policies

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ROWAN UNIVERSITY POLICY

Title: University Academic Calendar
Subject: Academic Affairs
Policy No: AA: 2017:08 
Applies: University-Wide
Issuing Authority: Board of Trustees; Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Responsible Officer: Vice President for Academic Affairs
Adopted: 06/01/2016
Last Revision: 05/27/2026
Last Reviewed: 05/27/2026


I.    PURPOSE

This policy establishes the procedures for development, review, and revision of the University Academic Calendar and the provisions governing the current Calendar.

II.   ACCOUNTABILITY

Under direction of the Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs shall implement the University Academic Calendar and the Registrar, Deans, Department Chairs, and any and all officers of the University who oversee or schedule University events and processes that are governed by the Calendar shall ensure compliance. 

III. APPLICABILITY

The University Academic Calendar applies to traditional courses offered on the Glassboro and Camden campuses Monday through Saturday during the Fall and Spring semesters. Additional calendars are independently developed by the Division of Rowan Online, the Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine, the School of Translational Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine, and the Cooper Medical School of Rowan University.

IV. POLICY

  1. The University Academic Calendar is developed by the Academic Calendar Committee in accordance with the University Academic Calendar Policy and under the auspices of the Office of the Provost. The Committee is convened by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and includes representation from the University Senate, Human Resources, the Office of the Registrar, Academic Scheduling, the University Advising Center, University Athletics, the Faculty Center, the employee unions, and the Student Government Association. In addition, the committee includes consulting representation from the Dean's Office of each college and school, Rowan Online, and other offices and units including Student Life, Public Safety, Financial Aid, and Facilities. The University Academic Calendar is approved by the Board of Trustees in five-year increments.
  2. The University Academic Calendar Policy ensures compliance with contract stipulations, State-designated holidays, and regulations specifying the number of instructional days and semester credit hours. Specifically, the policy governs the following parameters of the University Academic Calendar:
    • Beginning and ending dates of the Fall and Spring semesters
    • Days on which the University will not hold classes but will be open
    • Days on which the University will be closed
    • Timing of Spring Break and Final Exam Week
    • Scheduling of Commencement
  3. In addition, the policy articulates the following provisions:
    • Protocols for adjustments in response to inclement weather or other emergencies that disrupt the Calendar
    • Protocols for revisions of the University Academic Calendar
    • Authorization for independent development of calendars
  4. The Fall and Spring Semesters shall each consist of a minimum of 15 weeks of instruction, inclusive of Final Exam Week. Each week shall have six instructional days comprising Monday through Saturday. Every effort shall be made to ensure that there are 15 class meetings for each of the six instructional days with no instructional day to have fewer than 14 or more than 16 meetings.
  5. The University will recognize the official State holidays, which are listed below:
    • New Year's Day
    • Martin Luther King Jr. Day
    • Presidents Day
    • Memorial Day
    • Juneteenth
    • Independence Day
    • Labor Day
    • Columbus Day
    • Election Day
    • Veterans Day
    • Christmas Day
  6. The University shall remain open and classes will be held on the following State holidays:
    • Presidents Day (February) 
    • Columbus Day (October)
    • Election Day (November)
    • Veterans Day (November)
    • Good Friday (March or April). 
      Employees may have the day off or have the option to work and be compensated according to policy.
  7. The University shall remain open but classes will not be held on the Friday after Thanksgiving.
  8. The Fall Semester shall not begin before September 1st and shall conclude before the Winter Break.
  9. If September 1st occurs on Tuesday, or Wednesday before Labor Day, Fall Semester classes shall begin before Labor Day. If September 1 falls on a Thursday or Friday before Labor Day or on Labor Day (Monday), Fall Semester classes shall begin the first Tuesday following Labor Day.
  10. Spring Break shall run for six days and shall occur between the eighth and ninth weeks of the semester. Normally Spring Break will begin the third Monday in March but this may be adjusted as needed to ensure that Spring Break is at mid-semester.
  11. A Reading and Review Day, on which no classes, exams, nor mandatory instructional activities may be scheduled, shall precede Final Exam Week in both the Fall and Spring Semesters. In the Fall, Reading and Review Day shall immediately precede Final Exam Week. In the Spring, Reading and Review Day shall be the Friday before Final Exam Week.
  12. Final Exam Week, in both the Fall and Spring Semesters, shall run for six days, inclusive of Saturdays but not Sundays. In the Spring Semester, Final Exam Week shall be scheduled for Monday through Saturday of the week preceding Commencement.
  13. An additional scheduled day will follow Final Exam Week in the Fall Semester. This day will serve as flexible time for the purpose of providing an alternative final exam day available to students with scheduling conflicts or accommodations requiring scheduling at a test site, or for rescheduling in the event of a University closing because of inclement weather or other emergency.
  14. Commencement Week ceremonies shall be held on Monday through Friday following the conclusion of Final Exam Week during the Spring Semester.
  15. In consultation with relevant offices, the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs shall review the upcoming University Academic Calendar each spring. If a change to the University Academic Calendar is necessary, the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs shall determine whether the change conforms to the intention of the policy or arises from unforeseen circumstances. Based on this determination, the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs shall implement an appropriate protocol for amendment of the calendar, including Board of Trustees approval if appropriate.
  16. In order to provide flexibility, Rowan Online is authorized to independently develop calendars for its programs and course offerings, including online, accelerated, and summer/winter. The CEO & Chief Transformation Officer for Rowan Online may establish start and end dates, duration, and structure of terms as appropriate for these offerings. Courses offered online, or through other mechanisms not involving Rowan University classroom or laboratory facilities may be scheduled at the discretion of the CEO & Chief Transformation Officer for Rowan Online, in consultation with University Scheduling and the appropriate Deans and subject to compliance with applicable regulations and statutes.
  17. In order to accommodate the distinctive nature of the medical school curricula, the Cooper Medical School, Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine and the Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine are authorized to independently develop calendars for their programs. The Deans may establish start and end dates, duration, and structure of terms as appropriate for the educational objectives and experiences associated with the schools. The lengths and structures of terms for the Cooper Medical School, Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine and the Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine  are governed by and documented through their accreditation bodies, the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education (COE) and the Committee on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA), respectively.
  18. The School of Translational Biomedical Engineering & Sciences is also authorized to independently develop the calendar for its programs. The Vice Chancellor of the Virtua Health College of Medicine and Life Sciences, in consultation with the Dean of the Translational School of Translational Biomedical Engineering & Sciences, may establish start and end dates, duration, and structure of terms as appropriate for the educational objectives and experiences associated with the school.

  19. Calendars developed by the Division of Rowan Online, Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine, and the Cooper Medical School shall adhere to the guidelines regarding State holidays on which the University will remain open and will hold classes. Calendars developed by the Rowan Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine and the School of Translational Biomedical Engineering & Sciences shall adhere to their established policy and practice regarding holidays, opening of the campus, and holding of classes.

  20. Rowan University programs and courses offered on the campuses of other institutions shall adhere to the calendars of those institutions as appropriate.
  21. All University calendars shall be updated and maintained in accordance with established policy. All University calendars shall be posted on a single web site and shall be published annually in the appropriate Catalogs.


VI. ATTACHMENTS

  1. Attachment A - Campus Calendars Webpage
  2. Attachment B - Human Resources Employee Benefits Summaries
  3. Attachment C - Attendance Policy (for traditional classes offered on the Glassboro and Camden campuses)
  4. Attachment D - Final Exam Policy

Attachment A
Campus Calendars Webpage



Attachment B
Human Resources Employee Benefits Summaries



Attachment C
Attendance Policy
(for traditional classes offered on the Glassboro and Camden campuses)



Attachment D
Final Exam Policy


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