Why does the semester start when it does?

Having the academic year start on the Friday before Labor Day weekend may be puzzling to some; however, there is a simple explanation for this seemingly illogical start date.

The scheduling of the fall semester is challenging given that state statute 36.11(16) prohibits classes from commencing until after Sept. 1, and the need to conclude the semester before Christmas Eve.

Given the finite number of instructional days available between those two dates, it is simply not possible to avoid starting classes on Sept. 2 without compromising an instructor’s ability to teach the full content of a course, according to David Musolf, secretary of the faculty.