12-week term and fall reading week
Since summer 2023, all Concordia terms are 12 weeks in length, which has allowed for the implementation of a fall reading week at Concordia.
Why change now?
The decision to implement a fall reading week and shift to 12-week terms comes as a result of listening to student feedback across all faculties, Concordia's commitment to health and wellness, including mental health, and aligning with the practices of other Canadian universities. Concordia's goal with these changes is to continue to support students and faculty in order to create an environment where everyone can thrive.
With the launch of the fall reading week, each term is now 12 weeks long for consistency in the length of the summer, fall and winter terms.
| Term | Start of Term | End of Term | Reading Week | Final Exam Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 2024 → 6 week session 1 |
May 8, 2024 | June 19, 2024 | N/A | June 20 to 26 |
| Summer 2024 → 6 week session 2 |
June 27, 2024 | August 12, 2024 | N/A | August 13 to 19 |
| Summer 2024 → full session |
May 8, 2024 | August 12, 2024 | N/A | August 13 to 19 |
| Fall 2024 | September 3, 2024 | December 2, 2024 | October 15 to 18 | December 4 to 17 |
| Winter 2025 | January 13, 2025 | April 12, 2025 | February 24 to 28 | April 15 to May 4 |
Benefits
For students, a week-long break from classes:
- Offers catch-up time for coursework and preparation for midterms;
- Accommodates those who wish to travel home to visit family;
- Offers mental health benefits such as lowering anxiety and stress by giving a pause during the term;
- Creates conditions for increased student success.
For faculty, a week-long break from teaching:
- Offers catch-up time for teaching activities (course prep, grading, etc.);
- Provides intensive research time in the middle of the term;
- Supports writing of grant applications during high season;
- Facilitates the planning of out-of-town academic outreach activities.
Resources
Beginning in the 2023 academic year, a reading week is being implemented in the fall term along with the established reading week that takes place in the winter term. The reading weeks were created to offer a pause in structured academic activities each term so that students can catch up on work and visit friends and family, and to offer faculty a break from teaching to focus on research and preparation for future course work. The following guidelines were developed to provide clarity on the reading weeks.
- The University will remain open during each reading week.
- Optional activities may take place on our campuses to support student success and faculty development.
- No test or quiz will be administered, nor will any assignment be due during the fall or winter reading weeks.
- Only deferred and supplemental exams from the previous semester may be held during the reading weeks.
- No academic activity or event that requires mandatory attendance will be scheduled.
- Internship/fieldwork/co-op and work-integrated learning hours will continue during the reading weeks. No assignment will be due and no course meeting will be scheduled and students are encouraged to take a break if they are on track with hours and external agency requirements.
- Other than the President’s holiday during the winter reading week, working hours will remain the same for staff.
Frequently asked questions
The shift to a 12-week term was a decision made by Concordia's Senate to permit the university to add a week-long break around the Thanksgiving weekend, and to allow more time between terms. Many other Canadian universities also offer a fall reading week.
The latest information, including resources for faculty, are available on this page. Other questions or concerns can be addressed to twelveweekterm@concordia.ca. Information sessions were also held in spring and fall 2022.
The exam period remains the same and there is no impact on class assignments. Students can use the fall reading week to catch up on their academic work and work on any course assignments.
No. Registration timing remains the same.
No. Student services' availability remains the same.
The 12-week term and fall reading week does not affect accredited programs. Any concerns or questions related to accredited programs can be directed to twelveweeksemester@concordia.ca.
The 12-week term and fall reading week does not change eligibility for internships. Any concerns or questions related to internships or work terms at the Institute of Co-operative Education can be directed to twelveweeksemester@concordia.ca.
The libraries and services are open during the fall reading week.
Yes, a variety of activities for students and faculty will be held on our two campuses. Take a look at what's happening during reading week.
No courses are scheduled during the fall reading week. Programs and services are offered for students during this break, but attendance is not required.
Yes. The full summer term will shift from 13 weeks to 12 weeks in length. The first and second summer terms will shift from 6.5 weeks each to 6 weeks each.
The 12-week terms begin in summer 2023, and continue in fall and winter.
Process
Learn how we have been implementing these changes
PHASE 1 – FALL 2021 TO SPRING 2022
In 2021, the working groups were created and this initiative began, with collaboration between stakeholders, faculty councils, executives, and departments. In 2022, the focus is on communicating to create awareness of the fall reading week and 12-week term initiative
↓
PHASE 2 – SUMMER 2022 TO SPRING 2023
Academic planning, training, logistics, and providing support and resources to faculty
↓
PHASE 3 – SUMMER 2023
Implementation of the changes; a 12-week term beginning in summer 2023, a 12-week fall term with the new reading week, and a winter
12-week term with its established reading week
Working groups
These three groups have been working on implementing this new initiative at Concordia.
1. Logistics
This working group meets weekly to review 12-week term/fall reading week. The group is responsible for drafting the schedule for the 2023-2024 academic year with 12-week terms starting in summer 2023 and adding the fall reading week, and will review examples from other universities. The logistics group will also consult with the academic sector to set the dates for exams and identify any calendar changes necessary and address any logistical issues of making the transition.
| Name | Title | Department/Faculty |
| Meredith Evans | Associate Registrar | Enrolment Services |
| Lisa Ostiguy | Special Advisor, Campus Life and Supports | Office of the Provost & Vice-President, Academic |
| Nicolas Tzoutis | Course Registration, Exams & Academic | Enrolment Services |
| Stéphanie de Celles | University Registrar | Enrolment Services |
2. Internships
This working group meets biweekly to review the 12-week term/fall reading week transition concerns and issues specific to internships and work terms with the Institute of Co-operative Education. The group’s mandate is to review specific unique elements of academic programs with internships and will address concerns and make recommendations. The internship group includes representation from the faculties, from the Experiential Learning team and from the Institute for Cooperative Education. The group isa resource for departments who have specific concerns. The group is also reviewing practices at other universities with a fall reading week and 12-week terms.
| Name | Title | Department/Faculty |
| Alain Leroux | Associate Professor | Health, Kinesiology & Applied Physiology |
| Alice Isac | Experiential Learning Lead | Office of the Provost & Vice-President, Academic |
| Barbara Shapiro | Senior Lecturer & Director | JMSB Co-op/Management |
| Cynthia Bruce | Assistant Professor | Creative Art Therapies |
| Lisa Ostiguy | Special Advisor, Campus Life and Supports | Office of the Provost & Vice-President, Academic |
| Nadia Bhuiyan | Vice-Provost, Partnership & Experiential Learning | Office of the Provost & Vice-President, Academic |
| Sara Baptiste-Brown | Manager | Institute for Co-operative Education |
| Sorin Voiculescu | Co-op Director & Lecturer | Mechanical, Industrial and Aerospace Engineering |
| Steve Henle | Assistant Professor | Applied Human Sciences |
3. Accreditation
This working group meets biweekly to review the 12-week term/fall reading week transition to address any implication of the transition on accreditation concerns. The group includes representatives from each of the faculties with accredited programs and the Centre for Teaching and Learning.
| Name | Title | Department/Faculty |
| Ali Akgunduz | Associate Dean, Academic Programs | Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science |
| Alicia Cundell | Teaching Consultant | Centre for Teaching and Learning |
| Angela Usas | Manager, Assessment and Accreditation | John Molson School of Business |
| Christine Dewolf | Vice-Dean | Faculty of Arts and Science |
| Lisa Ostiguy | Special Advisor, Campus Life and Supports | Office of the Provost & Vice-President, Academic |
| Marius Paraschivoiu | Professor | Mechanical, Industrial and Aerospace Engineering |
Contact
If you have questions or would like to know more about the 12-week term/fall reading week, please reach out to twelveweekterm@concordia.ca.