Navigating the Academic Year: A Guide to the Rollins College Calendar

Rollins College, like any academic institution, operates on a structured schedule that dictates the rhythm of campus life. Understanding the academic calendar is crucial for students, faculty, and staff alike. It provides a roadmap for the entire academic year, outlining important dates such as the beginning and end of semesters, holidays, breaks, registration periods, and final exam schedules. This comprehensive guide delves into the specifics of the Rollins College academic calendar, offering a clear understanding of its key components and how to navigate it effectively.

Understanding the Academic Calendar Structure

The Rollins College academic year is traditionally divided into three main terms: Fall, Spring, and Summer. Each term has its own unique set of important dates and deadlines. Within these terms, there can also be shorter sessions, such as winter intersession or Maymester, offering flexibility in course scheduling.

Office of the Registrar

The Office of the Registrar at Rollins College serves as the central hub for all academic calendar-related information. It is the go-to resource for students, faculty, and staff seeking clarity on important dates, deadlines, and procedures. The office maintains and publishes the official academic calendars for all programs and schools within Rollins College, including the College of Liberal Arts, Hamilton Holt School (Undergraduate and Graduate), and the Crummer Graduate School of Business (EAMBA, Flex & PMBA, EMBA & EDBA).

Key Components of the Academic Calendar

The academic calendar includes a variety of important dates and deadlines that impact the academic lives of students and faculty. These include:

First Day of Classes: The official start date for each term and any intersessions. For example, the first day of classes for Fall 2024 was August 26, for Fall 2025 it was August 25, and for Fall 2026 it is expected to be August 24.
Schedule Changes (Add/Drop): A designated period at the beginning of each term when students can add or drop courses without academic penalty. For Fall 2024-25, the add/drop period was from Monday, August 25 to Friday, August 29.
Independent Study Forms Due: The deadline for submitting forms for independent study courses. For Fall 2024-25, the deadline was Friday, August 29.
Holidays and Breaks: Dates when classes are not in session, such as Labor Day, Fall Break, Thanksgiving Break, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and Spring Break.
Last Day to Drop a Course without Transcript Notation: The final date to drop a course without it appearing on the student's transcript. For Fall 2024-25, this date was Monday, September 8.
Last Day to Withdraw from a Course ('W' deadline): The deadline to withdraw from a course with a "W" notation on the transcript. For Fall 2024-25, this date was Friday, November 7.
Online Registration Periods: The periods during which students can register for courses for upcoming semesters. For example, Spring 2026 online registration began on Thursday, October 30.
Final Exam Period: The period designated for final exams at the end of each term. For Fall 2024-25, the final exam period was from Monday, December 8 to Friday, December 12.
Grades Due: The deadline for faculty to submit final grades for each term. For Fall 2024-25, grades were due at noon on Tuesday, December 16.
Commencement: The graduation ceremony held at the end of the Spring term. For example, commencement was held on Saturday, May 9.

Key Dates in the Academic Calendar

To provide a more detailed overview, here's a breakdown of key dates for upcoming terms:

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Fall Term

First Day of Classes: August 25
Labor Day (No Class): September 1
Fall Break (No Class): October 13 & 14 (undergraduate ONLY)
Thanksgiving Break (No Class): November 26 - November 28
Final Exam Period: December 8 - December 12
Grades Due at Noon: December 16

Spring Term

First Day of Class: January 14
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday (No class): January 19
Spring Break (No Class): March 16 - March 22
Final Exam Period: April 29 - May 5
Grades Due for Graduating UG & GR Students at Noon: May 6
Commencement: May 9
Grades Due for All Other Students at Noon: May 11

Summer Term

First Day of Class (12-week, 1st 6-week session & Grad Counseling): May 18
Memorial Day (No Class): May 25
Last Day to Withdraw from a Course (1st 6-week): June 12
Juneteenth Holiday Observed (No class): June 19
Independence Day (No Classes): July 4 (No class July 2 and 3)
Grades Due (1st 6-week session): July 6 (at noon)
First Day of Class 2nd 6-week session: July 6
Last Day of Class Grad Counseling: July 17
Last Day to Withdraw from a Course (12-week): July 17
Last Day to Withdraw from a Course (2nd 6-week): July 31
Last Day of Class, 12-week: August 10
Last Day of 2nd 6-week session: August 14
Grades Due 12-week & 2nd 6-week: August 17 (at noon)

Specific Dates and Deadlines

Fall 2025:
- First Day of Class: Monday, August 25
- Schedule Changes (Add/Drop): Monday, August 25 - Friday, August 29
- Independent Study Forms Due: Friday, August 29
- Labor Day Holiday (No Class): Monday, September 1
- Last Day to Drop a Course without Transcript Notation: Monday, September 8
- Fall Break: Monday, October 13 & Tuesday, October 14 (undergraduate ONLY)
- Spring 2026 Online Registration Period Begins: Thursday, October 30
- Last Day to Withdraw from a Course (‘W’ deadline): Friday, November 7
- Thanksgiving Break (No Class): Wednesday, November 26 - Friday, November 28
- Final Exam Period: Monday, December 8 - Friday, December 12
- Grades Due at Noon: Tuesday, December 16
Spring 2026:
- Winter Intersession (CLA): Monday, January 5 - Friday, January 9
- Independent Study Forms Due: Friday, January 9
- First Day of Class (includes Grad Counseling): Wednesday, January 14
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday (No class): Monday, January 19
- Schedule Changes (Add/Drop, includes Grad Counseling): Wednesday, January 14 - Tuesday, January 20
- Last Day to Drop a Course without Transcript Notation: Tuesday, January 27
- Spring Break (No Class): Monday, March 16 - Sunday, March 22
- Summer & Fall 2026 Online Registration Period Begins: Wednesday, March 25
- Last Day to Withdraw from a Course (‘W’ deadline): Friday, March 27
- Final Exam Period: Wednesday, April 29 - Tuesday, May 5
- Grades Due for Graduating UG & GR Students at Noon: Wednesday, May 6
- Commencement: Saturday, May 9
- Grades Due for All Other Students at Noon: Monday, May 11
Summer 2026:
- First Day of Class(12-week, 1st 6-week session & Grad Counseling): Monday, May 18
- Memorial Day (No Class): Monday, May 25
- Last Day to Withdraw from a Course (1st 6-week): Friday, June 12
- Juneteenth Holiday Observed (No class): Friday, June 19
- Last Day of Class 1st 6-week session: Wednesday, July 1
- Independence Day (No Classes): Saturday, July 4 (No class July 2 and 3)
- Grades Due (1st 6-week session): Monday, July 6 (at noon)
- First Day of Class 2nd 6-week session: Monday, July 6
- Last Day of Class Grad Counseling: Friday, July 17
- Last Day to Withdraw from a Course (12-week): Friday, July 17
- Last Day to Withdraw from a Course (2nd 6-week): Friday, July 31
- Last Day of Class, 12-week: Monday, August 10
- Last Day of 2nd 6-week session: Friday, August 14
- Grades Due 12-week & 2nd 6-week: Monday, August 17 (at noon)

Navigating Registration Periods

Rollins College utilizes online registration periods, during which students can enroll in courses for upcoming semesters. These periods are typically staggered, with priority given to students in higher academic standing. It is important to be aware of the specific registration dates for your class year to ensure you have the best chance of securing your desired courses.

Spring 2026: Online Registration Period Begins Thursday, October 30.

Understanding Academic Sessions

Rollins College offers several academic sessions within each academic term. Each of these sessions has specific add/drop/swap dates, lengths, and last days to withdraw. Students can take classes in multiple sessions.

Pre-Term Classes: Classes begin January 5. The Add/Drop/Swap deadline is January 5 and the Grading Basis Deadline is January 6. The Last Day to Withdraw is January 10 and grades are due January 13.
First Half Semester Classes: Classes begin January 13. The Add/Drop/Swap deadline is January 13 - 17 and the Grading Basis Deadline is February 18. The Last Day to Withdraw is March 2 and grades are due March 5.
Regular Classes: Classes begin January 13. The Add/Drop/Swap deadline is January 13 - 21 and the Grading Basis Deadline is February 27. The Last Day to Withdraw is April 27 and grades are due May 5 (graduating students) and May 6 (non-graduating students).
Second Half Semester Classes: Classes begin March 3. The Add/Drop/Swap deadline is January 13 - March 7 and the Grading Basis Deadline is March 24. The Last Day to Withdraw is April 27 and grades are due May 5 (graduating students) and May 6 (non-graduating students).
Spring Break Session: Classes begin March 9. The Add/Drop/Swap deadline is January 13 - March 9 and the Grading Basis Deadline is March 11. The Last Day to Withdraw is March 13 and grades are due March 16.
Four-Day Session: Classes begin April 9. The Add/Drop/Swap deadline is January 13 - April 9 and the Grading Basis Deadline is April 11. The Last Day to Withdraw is April 12 and grades are due April 15.

Additional Considerations

Hurricane Contingency Days: It's important to note that the academic calendar may be subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances, such as severe weather events. For example, the Fall 2024 dates were revised due to using two hurricane contingency days. Always check the official Rollins College website for the most up-to-date information.
New Student Reporting: New international students have specific reporting dates अलग from those of new and returning domestic students. For Fall 2025, new international students reported on Monday, August 18.

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