Office of the Provost
Maintaining and enhancing the university's excellence in teaching, research, scholarship and outreach.
A student takes advantage of fall's photo opportunities from the bridge on Beebe Lake.
Academic Calendar
Fall 2015
| EVENT | DAY(S) OF THE WEEK | DATE |
|---|---|---|
| Course Add/Drop Begins | Monday | August 10 |
| Check for Holds Preventing Registration¹ | Tuesday | August 18 |
| New Student Check-In (new undergraduates) | Friday | August 21 |
| Residence Halls Open | Friday | August 21 |
| Orientation Begins | Friday | August 21 |
| Graduate & Professional Student Welcome and Check-In | Monday | August 24 |
| Instruction Begins | Wednesday | August 26 |
| Labor Day Holiday - No Classes | Monday | September 7 |
| Fall Break Begins, 1:10 PM | Saturday | October 10 |
| Instruction Resumes, 7:30 AM | Wednesday | October 14 |
| Thanksgiving Recess Begins, 1:10 PM | Wednesday | November 25 |
| Instruction Resumes, 7:30 AM | Monday | November 30 |
| Last Day of Classes | Saturday | December 5 |
| Study Period | Sunday - Wednesday | December 6-9 |
| First Days of Scheduled Exams | Wednesday² - Friday | December 9-11 |
| Last Days of Scheduled Exams | Monday - Friday | December 14-18 |
| January Graduation Recognition | Saturday | December 19 |
Winter 2015-16
| EVENT | DAY(S) OF THE WEEK | DATE |
|---|---|---|
| Winter Session Period Begins | Monday | December 28 |
| 3-Week Classes Begin | Monday | January 4, 2016 |
| Winter Session Period Ends | Saturday | January 23 |
Spring 2016
| EVENT | DAY(S) OF THE WEEK | DATE |
|---|---|---|
| Course Add/Drop Begins | Monday | January 18 |
| Check for Holds Preventing Registration¹ | Tuesday | January 19 |
| January Orientation Begins | Wednesday | January 20 |
| Instruction Begins | Monday | January 25 |
| Spring Break Begins, 1:10 PM | Saturday | March 19 |
| Instruction Resumes, 7:30 AM | Monday | March 28 |
| Last Day of Classes | Saturday | May 7 |
| Study Period | Sunday - Wednesday | May 8-11 |
| First Days of Scheduled Exams | Wednesday² - Friday | May 11-13 |
| Last Days of Scheduled Exams | Monday - Friday | May 16-20 |
| Senior Week | Sunday - Saturday | May 22-28 |
| Commencement | Sunday | May 29 |
Summer 2016
There are many summer programs that follow different calendars from the one shown here. For more information on these programs, visit Summer Sessions.
| EVENT | DAY(S) OF THE WEEK | DATE |
|---|---|---|
| 3-Week Session Registration / Classes Begin | Wednesday | June 1 |
| 8-Week Session Registration / Classes Begin | Monday | June 13 |
| 3-Week Session Final Exams | Friday | June 24 |
| 6-Week Session Registration / Classes Begin | Monday | June 27 |
| 6- and 8-Week Sessions Final Exams | Monday / Tuesday | August 8-9 |
¹ Verify Add/Drop appointment window and registration holds on Student Center
² Exams begin Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.
For complete semester start-up information visit: Cornell University Campus Life and the Office of the University Registrar.
This calendar may be subject to modification and is not legally binding. Office of the Dean of the University Faculty, 6/2011.
Note: University is considering changes to academic calendar beginning in 2012-2013.
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