Section II - Rules Relating to KCTCS Calendar

KCTCS Calendar (Academic Terms and Academic Sessions)

The Rules Committee will identify an 18-week period for both the fall and spring terms during which each college will construct its academic calendars consistent with the policy guidelines below. The fall period will begin on the Monday between August 13 and 19, inclusive. The spring period will begin on the Monday between January 8 and 14 inclusive. Finals week shall conclude no later than the Sunday of the 17th week. The 18th week shall be reserved for the final entry of grades and the completion of required end of term processes. The summer period will begin on the Monday following the end of the spring period.

Within the common calendar period, each institution can set its own sessions, breaks, etc. as required by program offerings and local community needs. Colleges in the same community are expected to collaborate on flexible components of the academic calendar.

1.1 Academic Session Policy Guidelines

1.1.1 Academic Session Calendars

1. The academic year shall consist of two-semesters, each including a minimum of 15 weeks of instruction, plus a seven-day final examination period, with the fall semester beginning in time to permit completion prior to the winter institutional closing. When scheduled, final examinations shall be the sixteenth week of a semester and be a seven-day final examination period.
2. A college may have multiple calendars or use multiple sessions for any academic term. Examples of the number of weeks for an academic session are 18-Weeks, 16-Weeks, 8-Weeks, 5-Weeks, 4-Weeks, 3-Weeks, and any other number of weeks specified or a combination of multiple session lengths.
3. By majority vote, the faculty of each college shall decide the academic calendar(s) for its institution at a regular faculty meeting at least one year prior to the implementation. A copy of the calendar(s), subject to president's approval, shall be sent to the Chancellor's office by the end of the fall semester.
4. A list of term dates, last day of finals, end of term processes, and the number of weeks between fall & spring semesters is provided in Rules of the Senate, Section II, Appendices A & B. Appendix B shall be reviewed in ten year cycles beginning in the year 2020.

1.1.2 KCTCS Holidays

1. Holidays recognized by KCTCS are communicated for each academic year. Typical holidays are: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Presidential Election Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving Day, President's Day, Good Friday (1/2 Day). Typically, when a holiday falls on Saturday, the Friday before shall be observed as the holiday and when a holiday falls on Sunday, the following Monday shall be observed as the holiday. In addition to these holidays, KCTCS will observe a two-week institutional closing beginning in late December, which will include Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.
2. The Saturday after Thanksgiving Day shall be declared an academic holiday.

1.2 Deviation from Approved Calendar

In response to a documented need, a college may offer credit courses that do not necessarily correspond to dates specified in the approved Calendar if they tie to the common calendar term.