University Calendars
The university calendars section connects you to key academic and campus life schedules. Whether you're looking for important dates through the Registrar's Office or exploring student events and activities via FalconsConnect, this hub helps you stay informed and engaged throughout the academic year.
Approved Academic Calendars
The approved academic calendars provide access to official term schedules for upcoming academic years. These calendars outline important dates and timelines for classes, breaks, registration, finals and more.
Semester Structure and Timetables
Final Exam Schedules
Session Definitions
Class Schedule Timetable
To view the Class Schedule Timetable, visit the Registrar's Academic Calendar page and open the "Class Schedule Timetable" section.
Faculty Contract Period for 2025-26
August 25, 2025-May 22, 2026 (39 weeks)
Faculty Senate Motion Number 2023-2024-104
Standardized Time Blocks
Fall Break FAQs
What is the new fall break?
Similar to the spring semester, and as occurred for fall 2024, the fall 2025 semester will incorporate days into the university calendar where campus remains open, but no classes, instruction, or assignments, such as examinations, will take place. The Student Government Association had been seeking an opportunity for students to have a break from their courses for overall health and wellbeing. In review of previous fall academic calendars, students would have about 60 straight weekdays of classes. The revised fall calendar for 2025 will now afford a break in courses after 37 weekdays and another break to account for the Thanksgiving holiday. The dates selected for this break in instruction for fall 2025 are October 23 and 24.
How does the revised calendar compare to the previously approved calendar?
To gain the two days for the break, classes will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 2, and Wednesday, Nov. 26, is also an instructional day. No classes will take place on October 23 and 24.
How were the dates selected?
A committee, led by Faculty Senate, was comprised of three faculty members from each college and a member from each shared governance group. Various campus constituents and stakeholders provided a committee with input on what would be the best possible dates. The committee reviewed applicable Wisconsin state laws, Universities of Wisconsin policies and UW-River Falls needs and after taking all information into account, felt that the selected dates and revised calendar met the necessary guidelines for implementation.
Is the fall break an addition to the HR recognized holidays?
No, the dates for the fall break are not recognized holidays approved by the Universities of Wisconsin or UW-River Falls. Campus offices and departments remain open for normal operating hours and any employee wishing to take time off on either day should use their appropriate vacation allotment.
Is Academic Day being eliminated by starting classes a day earlier?
Academic Day has typically been reserved for the Tuesday immediately following Labor Day. With this Tuesday now being converted to an instructional day, Academic Day was reimagined by a group of stakeholders on campus. New students will be meeting with their academic programs on Wednesday, Sept. 3 from 5-7 p.m.
Will campus departments and offices be closed during the fall break?
No. As previously mentioned, campus offices and departments remain open for normal operating hours and any employee wishing to take time off on either day should use their appropriate vacation allotment. Additionally, employees wishing to work remotely can make arrangements with their supervisor or adhere to procedures agreed upon in their department.
What are student expectations during the fall break?
Since there is no classroom instruction during these dates, students may use the time as is most beneficial and appropriate to them, the same as any other break.
How will the fall break effect on-campus student employees?
Students with on-campus employment should address any schedule changes with their supervisors well before the fall break. This would include time off requests or for those wishing to potentially pick up extra work opportunities.
How does the fall break affect classroom instruction and content delivery?
Faculty and instructional staff retain full academic freedom within their courses and can work through the process when courses are initially scheduled to identify the mode of instruction. During the fall break, students should not be assigned online activities, quizzes, class meetings or other classroom activities. They are welcome to study or complete assigned work, such as papers, provided that they are not expected to submit them during the fall break.
I have heard that days were renamed as part of this process. What does that mean?
UW-River Falls has a local balanced calendar policy that stipulates equal numbers of meetings for each day of the week. There is also a portion of the policy that permits the “renaming” of days in order to meet this requirement. With that, during the week of the Thanksgiving holiday, Tuesday, Nov. 25, will follow the normal Thursday class schedule for students and instructors, and Wednesday, Nov. 26, will follow the normal Friday class schedule. In doing so, this accounts for the Thursday and Friday of the fall break where no classroom instruction will take place.
With the renaming of days in the previous question, do I need to save my classroom content that I would have taught on the days of the fall break for the week of Thanksgiving?
No. As previously stated, faculty and instructional staff retain full academic freedom to engage their students and may build their courses in any manner they feel is most effective for their course learning outcomes within the dates of the revised fall academic calendar.
