To: The Wellesley College Community
From: President Paula A. Johnson and Andy Shennan, Provost and Lia Gelin Poorvu ’56 Dean of the College
Re: Changes To the Spring 2021 Calendar
Date: December 4, 2020
With just one week of classes remaining, we are thankful that a successful end of the term is in sight, and we have been turning our thoughts to spring planning. While we still have to work out many details, we want to share a basic outline of the College’s spring calendar so that we can all begin to plan and prepare.
Given the steeply increasing number of COVID-19 cases across the nation and in Massachusetts, and the projected worsening of the pandemic into January, we have decided that the safest option is to push back the start of the spring term to February 15. This means students will not need to travel to campus until early February, when we hope infection rates will be trending downward. This later start date will also leave time for a carefully phased move-in process that allows adequate time for quarantine and testing.
The spring calendar will be as follows:
Term 3
| First day of classes
Monday, February 15 Last day of classes Tuesday, March 30 Reading period Wednesday, March 31 and Thursday, April 1 |
Final exams
Friday, April 2 and Saturday, April 3 Final exam makeup day (for students who observe religious holidays) Monday, April 5 Final grades due Saturday, April 10 at noon |
Note: Teaching days include Monday, February 15 (Presidents’ Day). The inter-term break will run from Monday, April 5, to Friday, April 9.
Term 4
| First day of classes
Monday, April 12 Last day of classes Wednesday, May 26 Reading period Thursday, May 27, Saturday, May 29, and Sunday, May 30 |
Final exams
Friday, May 28, Monday, May 31, and Tuesday, June 1 Final grades due (for all students, including graduating seniors) Monday, June 7 at noon |
Note: Teaching days include Monday, April 19 (Patriots’ Day; Boston Marathon will not be held).
We understand that you likely have additional questions, some of which we cannot answer at this point. However, we can share these important details with you right now:
Housing selection: This process will begin on January 4, which will give students more time to build blocks and to view available rooms.
January Project: Dates will stay the same as previously announced.
Study abroad: Dates for term 4 study abroad programs will be adjusted if needed so that there is no overlap between term 3 courses/exams and term 4 programs.
Commencement. We know seniors and their families are eager to hear about our plans for commencement, but unfortunately we can’t provide any definite information at this time. Whatever form our commencement celebration takes, it will occur on Friday, June 4. Since students will have finished their exams just a few days before, we will process grades, award Latin honors, and send diplomas following the ceremony. We will share more details about our plans for commencement in February.
Given the very small number of COVID-19 cases we have had on campus and the remarkable way our community has observed health and safety protocols this fall, we are confident that by working together we can have a successful spring on campus and two rewarding and productive terms for students, wherever they may be. We wish everyone the best during the remaining days of this term and for the winter break ahead.
