ACADEMIC CALENDAR FOR 2012-13
When an official deadline falls on a holiday observed by the University, the effective deadline is the next working day.
July 1, Sunday. Applications for non-resident status for the fall term or academic year are due in department offices. Students filing after this date will be charged a late registration fee of $50, plus an additional $5 for each week thereafter. Applications for part-time study are due in the GSAS Dean’s office, Holyoke Center.
August 13, Monday. Applications due at the Registrar’s office for November degrees. Last day upon which November degree candidates may submit a completed and signed application for a secondary field.
August 27, Monday. 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., orientation for international students, Harvard Hall 202.
August 28, Tuesday. Spring term registration period ends on the day before fall term registration. Last day to submit work for Incomplete grades from the fall term 2011-2012.
August 29, Wednesday. 10:00 a.m., orientation for new students, Sanders Theatre. 12:00 p.m.–3:30 p.m., DudleyFest, Dudley House And Boylston Hall. Includes representatives from student organizations, GSAS Financial Aid, and Harvard University Health Services (immunization information). All GSAS students must register online by midnight. GSAS students can inquire about holds placed on registration at DudleyFest or at the office placing the hold during regular business hours. All Special Students and Visiting Fellows must register online by midnight. Students who fail to register will be charged a late registration fee of $50 plus an additional $5 for each week thereafter.
Students in residence who register late must file a study card within five working days of the date of their registration; subsequently the late study card fee is activated. (Special Students should also consult the Office of Special Students.) For cross-registration deadlines, see Chapter V.
August 29 and 30, Wednesday and Thursday. Derek Bok Center Fall Teaching Conference. See website for more information.
August 31, Friday. Fall deadline for waiving health insurance, if eligible. See website for online waiver.
September 3, Monday. Labor Day: a holiday.
September 4, Tuesday. Fall term begins. First meeting of classes.
September 11, Tuesday. 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., final study cards for GSAS and Special Students for the fall term due in Dudley House. There is a late fee of $40 for each week late. Study cards filed after this date must bear the instructor’s signature for each course listed. Degree candidates taking a language course SAT/UNS should see Grade and Examination Requirements, SAT/UNS, in Chapter V.
To change courses after the study card has been filed, students must file a petition to add or drop a course with the Registrar's office, 20 Garden Street. (Special Students should file the petition at Holyoke Center 350.) There is no charge for adding or dropping a course during the first three weeks of the term (from September 4 through September 25). From September 25 through October 22, there is a $10 fee each time a petition is filed. If two petitions are filed simultaneously, only one processing fee is charged. From October 23 through October 30, students may drop courses only and are charged a $10 fee.
September 13, Thursday. Last day on which GSAS degree candidates may cancel their registration for the fall term without payment of tuition. Tuition and health-care fees will be removed from the term bills of all GSAS degree candidates who are not registered by this date.
September 13, Thursday. Approved dissertations due in the Registrar's office, 20 Garden Street, for November degrees.
September 19, Wednesday. Make-up examinations for spring term 2011-2012 begin.
September 21, Friday. Last day students from other schools may file cross-registration petitions with the FAS Registrar’s office.
September 28, Friday. The fall (or full-year) enrollment deadline for dependent health coverage and enrollment deadline for dental insurance.
October 8, Monday. Columbus Day: a holiday.
October 22, Monday. Last day to register for or add courses for the term. After this date students may add or register for TIME only. Last day for graduate students to add or change SAT/UNS grading option for designated language courses. After this date a petition to add must be completed and returned to the GSAS Student Affairs office, Holyoke Center.
October 30, Tuesday. Last day to drop a course. After this date a petition to withdraw must be completed and returned to the GSAS Student Affairs office, Holyoke Center.
November 12, Monday. Veterans’ Day staff holiday (observed). FAS classes will be held as scheduled.
November 21, Wednesday. Thanksgiving recess begins.
November 25, Sunday. Recess ends.
November 26, Monday. Applications are due at the Registrar’s office for March degrees. Last day upon which March degree candidates may submit a completed and signed application for a secondary field.
December 1, Saturday. Applications for non-resident status for the spring term are due in department offices. Late fees apply as in the fall. Applications for part-time study are due in the GSAS Dean’s office, Holyoke Center.
December 5, Wednesday. Fall term Reading Period begins.
December 12, Wednesday. Last day to petition the Dean’s office for late withdrawal from course. (See Chapter V, changing courses during term.) Fall term Reading Period ends.
December 13, Thursday. Mid-year examinations begin.
December 21, Friday. Mid-year examinations end.
December 22, Saturday. Winter recess begins.
January 1, Tuesday. Winter recess ends.
January 2, Wednesday. Optional winter session begins. Applications from continuing students for 2012–2013 grants due in the GSAS Financial Aid office, Holyoke Center.
January 14, Monday. January@GSAS begins.
January 18, Friday. Approved dissertations due in the Registrar’s office, 20 Garden Street, for March degrees.
January 21, Monday. Martin Luther King Day: a holiday.
January 25, Friday. January@GSAS ends.
January 27, Sunday. Optional winter session ends. Fall term registration period ends on the day before the spring term begins. Last day to submit work for Incomplete grades from the spring term 2010–2011.
January 28, Monday. Spring term begins. First meeting of classes. Continuing resident students and students returning from non-resident status must register online by midnight. (Late fees apply as in the fall.) All Special Students and Visiting Fellows must register online by midnight.
February 1, Friday. 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., final study cards for GSAS and Special Students for the spring term due in Dudley House. There is a late fee of $40 for each week late. Study cards filed after this date must bear the instructor’s signature for each course listed. Degree candidates taking a language course SAT/UNS, should see Grade and Examination Requirements, SAT/UNS, in Chapter V.
To change courses after the study card has been filed, students must file a petition to add or drop a course with the Registrar's office, 20 Garden Street. (Special Students should file the petition at Holyoke Center 350.) There is no charge for adding or dropping a course during the first three weeks of the term (from January 23 through February 11). From February 12 through March 5, there is a $10 fee each time a petition is filed. If two petitions are filed simultaneously, only one processing fee is charged. From March 6 through March 20, students may drop courses only and are charged a $10 fee.
February 8, Friday. Last day on which GSAS degree candidates may cancel their registration for the spring term without payment of tuition.
February 8, Friday. Spring registration will be canceled for students who have filed approved dissertations at the Registrar’s office by this date. Any spring term tuition previously paid will be refunded.
February 11, Monday. Make-up examinations for fall term 2011–2012 begin.
February 15, Friday. Last day students from other schools may file cross-registration petitions with the FAS Registrar’s office.
February 18, Monday. Presidents’ Day: a holiday.
February 28, Thursday. Tuition and health-care fees will be removed from the term bills of all GSAS degree candidates who are not registered by this date.
March 1, Friday. Spring deadline for waiving health insurance, if eligible. See website for online waiver. The spring enrollment deadline for dependent health coverage.
March 11, Monday. Last day to register for or add courses. After this date students may add or register for TIME only. Last day for graduate students to add or change SAT/UNS grading option for designated language courses. After this date a petition to add must be completed and returned to the GSAS Student Affairs office, Holyoke Center.
March 16, Saturday. Spring recess begins.
March 24, Sunday. Spring recess ends.
March 26, Tuesday. Last day to drop a course. After this date a petition to withdraw must be completed and returned to the GSAS Student Affairs office, Holyoke Center.
March 29, Friday. Applications are due at Registrar’s office for May degrees.
Last day upon which May degree candidates may submit a completed and signed application for a secondary field.
May 2, Thursday. Spring term Reading Period begins.
May 9, Thursday. Last day to petition the Dean’s office for late withdrawal from a course. Spring term Reading Period ends.
May 10, Friday. Final examinations begin.
May 17, Friday. Approved dissertations due in the Registrar’s office, 20 Garden Street, for May degrees.
May 18, Saturday. Final examinations end.
May 27, Monday. Memorial Day: a holiday.
May 30, Thursday. Commencement.