The Academic Year

The academic year begins in September, with classes typically commencing the first Monday following Labour Day, and ending in August of the following year. On the St. George and UTM campuses the year is subdivided into terms:

  • Fall Term – September to December
  • Spring Term – January to April
  • Summer Terms (2) – May to June; and July to August

Several exam periods are held throughout the academic year:

  • Fall Term – mid-December
  • Spring Term – late April to early May
  • Summer Terms – early June and mid-August

At UTSC the academic year is trimestered with the three terms divided as follows:

  • Fall Term – September to December
  • Spring Term – January to April
  • Summer Term – May to August

Academic calendars provide detailed information regarding the schedule for the academic year (including start and end dates for classes, exam periods, and holidays). Following the Winter exam period the University closes for a ten-day Christmas vacation. Most students are also given a “Reading Week” in mid-November and mid-February (during this period the University remains open).

The University closes for a number of holidays throughout the academic year, including: Labour Day (the first Monday in September), Thanksgiving (mid-October), Christmas and New Year’s, Easter (March/April), Victoria Day (mid-May), and the August Civic Holiday (the first Monday in August).

COURSES
Typically, courses at UofT are of two types: full courses (Y), which extend over two terms (September to April, or May to August); or half courses (H) which take place during one term only (Fall –“F”, or Spring “S”). At UTSC, almost all courses are offered as half credits.

Classes at the University of Toronto are listed in the academic calendars as commencing on the hour. However, all classes begin at 10 minutes past the hour.

RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS
The general tenor of the University’s policy regarding the Jewish Holy Days is that no student should suffer academic penalty because of the observance of their faith. Individuals wishing to attend religious services on the High Holy Days should be exempt from class and where necessary should be provided with an opportunity to make up missed work.

While the University’s policy makes no special provision for Holy Days of other faiths, the same general consideration is understood to apply: no student should be seriously disadvantaged because of their religious observances.

For additional information on religious observances, please visit the Provost’s website.

DEALING WITH EMAIL
In recent years email has become an increasingly common form of communication among students and instructors. Given the common expectation that emails will be answered very quickly (regardless of the time of day or night they are sent) it is strongly recommended that instructors establish guidelines at the outset of a course. Many instructors have chosen to outline (at the first class and on the syllabus) the times during which students can reasonably expect a response to their emails.

Also see, the web site www.enough.utoronto.ca for additional information on University policies pertaining to the appropriate use of information and communication technology.

OFFICE HOURS
All instructors are required to hold regular office hours during the times their course is offered. It is recommended that you announce office hours at the outset of a course (in class and on the syllabus) and post the hours on your office door. In the event that office hours need to be cancelled (e.g. for medical/family reasons) instructors should ensure that a notice to that effect is posted on their office door.