Changes are coming to the start of the spring semester for the 2026-2027 academic year.
During the 426th Senate meeting on Oct. 11, the Academic Standards Committee Chair, Senator Charles Kerwin, brought up work being done to the academic calendar, according to previous reporting by The Equinox.
According to James Beeby, provost and vice president of academic affairs, the changes revolve around starting the spring semester the Tuesday after Martin Luther King Jr. Day or the following week depending on the year.
“It just gives us a little bit of flexibility on the start date,” Beeby said.
He noted this change would put Keene State more in sync with the other institutions within the University System of New Hampshire.
In the long run, it is helpful for the schools to be in sync with each other on start dates because the schools have shared services like IT, Beeby said.
The length of the semester would still remain the same and the number of class days would also remain the same. However, Beeby said there is a possibility of Commencement being moved to a later date, depending on the year.
Kerwin noted this change could potentially make the J term, a period in which some classes are held during winter break, longer. Additionally, he said this might increase the amount of courses being offered during that term.
This move would not have any effect on when the winter break starts, but rather when it ends. Students could potentially have a week, at most, added to their winter break, Kerwin said.
“It really only affects that spring start and I just wanted to get everybody going at the same time,” Kerwin said.
Other changes to the calendar were made as well.
Beeby said Juneteenth is now recognized as a campus holiday, which makes it consistent with the federal government.
Other notable changes include reducing the number of start dates for summer sessions from eleven to three, Beeby said.
Tim Bruns can be contacted at
tbruns@kscequinox.com
