Calendar of Important Dates
The faculty and chairs of departments should take notice of several administrative dates during the academic year. Included are due dates for annual reports, leave reports, materials for extension, review, reappointment, and promotion. All reviews require a series of materials be delivered to the Dean of the Faculty, Department Chair, or committees.
The Faculty Handbook on the Handbooks and Forms page details the appropriate information due for each review in the corresponding sections and page numbers:
- Extension of Contract (p 100)
- Reappointment (p 101)
- Tenure Review (p 102)
- Post-tenure Review (p 105)
- Promotion to Full Professor (p 103)
- Athletics Lecture Track Review (p 106)
*Note: If the date falls on a weekend or holiday, the last previous working day applies.
General Information 2024/25
Monday, September 2
Labor Day: No Classes
Tuesday, September 3
Fall classes begin
Wednesday, September 4
Fall Convocation at 3:30 p.m.
Friday–Sunday, September 27–29
Families Weekend. See full schedule.
Friday, October 4
RESEARCH LEAVES REPORTS: Chairs and Directors remind faculty who have returned from research leaves that they are required to submit a brief written report on the use of their leaves to the Dean of the Faculty with a copy to the President. A copy should also be sent to the Chair.
STAFFING PLANS for (2025–26): Chairs and Program Directors submit to the Dean of the Faculty staffing plans for the next year, taking into account faculty on leave. Chairs will have already begun consultation with the Dean for authorization of new and substitute staff. Programs and departments will also have conferred together on sharing staff and courses.
Monday, October 14–Friday, October 18
October Break
Monday, October 21
COURSE CHANGES (for 2025–26): Departments and programs propose to the Committee on Curricular Policies any changes in course offerings, including major requirements, course descriptions, etc. Chairs and Directors should remember to consult with their majors committees about proposed curriculum changes well in advance of this date.
Mid-November
Registrar opens 2025–26 Catalogue for departments/programs to review and update. Departments coordinate changes with Registrar’s Office.
Friday, November 8
Lectures - Priority deadline for lectures supported by the Dean of the Faculty for the spring semester.
Wednesday, December 11
First semester classes end.
Monday, December 16–Friday, December 20
First semester examinations.
Monday, January 13
2025–26 Catalogue for departments/programs to review and update. Departments coordinate changes with Registrar’s Office.
Saturday, February 1
Annual activities reports for untenured faculty are submitted to the Dean of the Faculty. Faculty members should also give a copy to their Department Chair.
Wednesday, January 22
Second semester classes begin.
Late-February/Early March
Departments review 2025–26 Catalogue updates. Departments coordinate changes with the Registrar’s office.
Saturday, March 1
ANNUAL FACULTY PERFORMANCE APPRAISALS: Departments submit a signed copy of performance appraisals to the Dean of the Faculty Office. A copy of the recommendation must also be sent to the faculty member under review. (See Section VII of the Faculty Handbook.)
The Chair must meet with tenure-track faculty members at the time of their first recommendation to make sure they are familiar with, and understand, the procedures of review and the criteria employed in both salary and contract reviews, as stated in the Governance and the Faculty Handbook.
RESEARCH LEAVES REPORTS: Chairs and Directors remind faculty who have returned from research leaves that they are required to submit a written report of the use of their leaves to the Dean of the Faculty with a copy to the President. A copy should also be sent to the Chair.
Monday, March 10–Friday, March 21
Spring break
The online 2025–26 catalogue goes live.
NEW BUDGETS for (2025–26): Departments submit to the Dean of the Faculty proposals for next year’s operating, capital, and personnel budgets.
Tuesday, April 1
LEAVES OF ABSENCE: The Dean of the Faculty notifies all members of the faculty eligible for a leave of absence in 2025–26. Chairs receive a list of all eligible members of their departments and Chairs provide leave information on their staffing plan for the next year.
Tuesday, May 6
Second semester classes end.
Wednesday, May 14–Tuesday, May 20
Second semester examinations.
Sunday, May 25
161st Commencement
June 15
ANNUAL REPORTS: Department Chairs and Program Directors, after consultation with the other members of the department or program, submit their annual reports to the Office of the Dean of the Faculty (deansoffice@vassar.edu) with a copy to the Office of the President (presidentsoffice@vassar.edu).