Office of the Provost
Maintaining and enhancing the university's excellence in teaching, research, scholarship and outreach.
The clock on McGraw Tower.
Academic Calendar
Fall 2016
| Event | Day(s) of the Week | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Course Add/Drop Begins¹ | Monday | August 8 |
| Check for Holds Preventing Registration¹ | Tuesday | August 16 |
| New Student Check-in (new undergraduates) | Friday | August 19 |
| Residence Halls Open/Orientation Begins | Friday | August 19 |
| Graduate & Professional Student Welcome and Check-in | Monday | August 22 |
| Instruction Begins | Tuesday | August 23 |
| Labor Day/Holiday/No classes | Monday | September 5 |
| Fall Break Begins, 1:10 p.m. | Saturday | October 8 |
| Instruction Resumes, 7:30 a.m. | Wednesday | October 12 |
| Thanksgiving Recess Begins | Wednesday | November 23 |
| Instruction Resumes, 7:30 a.m. | Monday | November 28 |
| Last Day of Classes | Friday | December 2 |
| Study Period | Saturday - Tuesday | December 3-6 |
| Exams | Wednesday² - Friday | December 7-9 |
| Study Day | Sunday | December 11 |
| Exams | Monday - Thursday | December 12-15 |
| January Graduation Recognition | Saturday | December 17 |
Winter 2016-17
| Event | Day(s) of the Week | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Winter Session Period Begins | Monday | December 26 |
| 3-Week Classes Begin | Monday | January 2, 2017 |
| Winter Session Period Ends | Saturday | January 21 |
Spring 2017
| Event | Day(s) of the Week | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Course Add/Drop Begins¹ | Monday | January 16 |
| Check for Holds Preventing Registration¹ | Tuesday | January 17 |
| January Orientation Begins | Tuesday | January 17 |
| Instruction Begins | Wednesday | January 25 |
| February Break Begins (no classes M-T) | Saturday - Tuesday | February 18-21 |
| Instruction Resumes, 7:30 a.m. | Wednesday | February 22 |
| Spring Break Begins, 1:10 p.m. | Saturday | April 1 |
| Instruction Resumes, 7:30 a.m. | Monday | April 10 |
| Last Day of Classes | Wednesday | May 10 |
| Study Period | Thursday - Sunday | May 11-14 |
| Exams | Monday | May 15 |
| Study Day | Friday | May 19 |
| Exams | Tuesday | May 23 |
| Senior Days | Wednesday - Friday | May 24-26 |
| Commencement | Sunday | May 28 |
Summer 2017
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 | May 31 |
| 8-Week Session Registration/Classes Begin | Monday | June 12 |
| 3-Week Session Final Exams | Friday | June 23 |
| 6-Week Session Registration/Classes Begin | Monday | June 26 |
| 6- and 8-Week Sessions Final Exams | Monday/Tuesday | August 7-8 |
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.
*Beginning Fall 2014 no classes will be held Wednesday due to Thanksgiving Recess
This calendar may be subject to modification and is not legally binding. Office of the Dean of the University Faculty, 9/2012.
Note: Changes in Calendar beginning in FALL 2014.
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