Senate Discussion: Fall Break at Waterloo Sen Senate Discussion: Fall Break at Waterloo October 19, 2015 Fall Break Working Group

Senate Discussion: Fall Break at Waterloo Motivation ~ 3/4 of Ontario’s 21 universities have a Fall Break varying in length from 2-5 days WLU initiated a 3-year pilot in Fall 2014 Federation of Students referendum on Fall Break (Fall 2014)

Senate Discussion: Fall Break at Waterloo Working group established in Spring 2014 Outline all scheduling options, noting pros and cons of each Recommend an option should one become clearly optimal No position should be taken on adoption of a Fall Break

Senate Discussion: Fall Break at Waterloo Issues to manage 60 teaching days/term High level of teaching activity throughout year (co-op) Pre-final exam study days (minimum 2) Exam schedule (12 days in past, 14 days for last few years, 13 days this Fall, aiming for 13 days in future years) No Sunday exams Exams must end no later than Dec. 22

Senate Discussion: Fall Break at Waterloo Report* to Vice-President and Provost: (September 2014) “Consideration of a Fall Break at the University of Waterloo” Key recommendations: If we implement a Fall Break… 1.Make it two days in length, starting classes 2 days early (i.e., Thursday of Orientation Week) 1.Consider a trial (pilot) for 3 years, with annual assessment 1.Consult widely with all stakeholder groups to understand potential obstacles/complications to implementing a Fall Break 1.Articulate expectations/definition of a mid-term break 1.Explore strategies to maximize student benefit from a Fall Break * Refer to Senate agenda, October 14, 2014

Senate Discussion: Fall Break at Waterloo Undergraduate Student Referendum: (November 2014) Over 6000 students responded to the question: “Should classes start on the first Thursday after Labour Day to allow two additional days off in the Fall Term” 4600 students (~74%) voted in favour of the proposed break

Senate Discussion: Fall Break at Waterloo Working group was asked to explore more fully implementation of a Fall Break with Waterloo community Stakeholders consulted (Nov – Jan. 2015) Faculty Association Staff Association Federation of Students Undergraduate Students Relations Committee Graduate Students Association Graduate Students Relations Committee Leadership Forum CUPE Local 793 Custodial and Ground Services Food Services Report to Vice-President and Provost: (Feb. 2015) “Proposed Fall Break – Stakeholder Consultation”

Senate Discussion: Fall Break at Waterloo Major issue raised Faculty, staff and co-op students who work or study during the Spring term and are back in the Fall term saw the break between terms as important for holidays, and for international students, family visits. The reduced time span between the Spring and Fall terms was seen as problematical Solution: Allow instructors who teach in Spring and Fall terms to request an early Spring exam time by “pre-slotting” their final exam.

Senate Discussion: Fall Break at Waterloo MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturdaySunday *2016* Earliest implementation Labour Day 6 Orientation 7 Orientation 8 Classes start Thanksgiving 11 Break 12 Break Study 7 Study 8 Exams start Exams end September October November December 14 exam days Earliest possible implementation of a Fall Break is 2016

Senate Discussion: Fall Break at Waterloo MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturdaySunday *2020* Latest Labour Day Labour Day 8 Orientation 9 Orientation 10 Classes start Thanksgiving 13 Break 14 Break class day Study 8 Exams start Exams end September October November December 14 exam days Scheduling of Saturday class TBD NOTE: In 2020 and 2021, a Saturday class will be necessary regardless of whether or not there is a Fall Break (such as in Fall 2009 or 2015) due to late Labour Day

Senate Discussion: Fall Break at Waterloo Motion: To approve modifications to calendar guidelines for a three-year period starting in 2016 to include a two-day Fall Break following Thanksgiving Monday by starting classes earlier by two days (Thursday of Orientation Week), and to evaluate this initiative after three years.