The Office of the Registrar has announced a calendar change for Notre Dame's fall semester. In an email to students, the University shared that the reform will move the start of the semester to a Monday — Aug. 25 for next year — rather than the traditional Tuesday start date.
According to the email, the adjustment will not alter the total number of class days, which will remain at 70. To compensate, the last class day for the upcoming fall semester will be moved a day earlier to Wednesday, Dec. 10.
Under this new schedule, Friday will no longer be a reading day. Instead, Thursday will become a reading day alongside Saturday and Sunday. Final exams under this new system will begin on Friday and then take place the following Monday through Thursday.
The adjustment was approved by the executive committee of the Academic Council and will come into effect at the start of the 2025 fall semester, the email shared.
In an email to The Observer, assistant vice president and University registrar Chuck Hurley explained the intent behind the decision.
“The topic has been in discussion for a while,” Hurley wrote. “Following a student government proposal, MLK day was approved as a holiday in 2022. After that, most spring semesters began on a Monday. Having the fall semester begin on a Monday makes the semesters more symmetrical.”
According to Hurley, an important factor in making the switch was giving the Notre Dame community enough time to adapt to the change. To address student concerns, the administration sought to make the adjustment in a timely manner.
“One concern was making the adjustment prior to registration in April, so that students and faculty had plenty of time to know," Hurley wrote.
Hurley also explained that, in making their decision, the administration took recommendations from several different groups.
“Feedback about the fall 2024 schedule adjustments from faculty, advisors, students, and staff was quite similar,” Hurley wrote. “Two items were noted. One, keep final exams on weekdays. Two, make sure there are three reading days.”
The subsequent changes reflect these goals, as Saturday will no longer be an exam day as it was last semester.
Siegfried freshman Alex Rweyemamu shared his dissatisfaction with the final exam schedule changes.
“I don’t mind the changes made to what day of the week we start the semester. However, I don’t like that we have our last class on a Wednesday, and two days later, you could have a final based on what you just learned days ago,” Rweyemamu said. “I think they should make Friday a reading day."
Felix Ruda, another Siegfried freshman, was in support of the changes.
“The change allows students to get more time for winter break and [be] settled in for Christmas,” Ruda said. “I don’t think it really matters at all, and I don’t have any concerns either." He also noted that the change might make Welcome Weekend feel more rushed.
