The Official Academic Calendar lists official milestones and events that define the academic terms, exam dates, breaks, and other academic milestones. The calendar is managed by the Office of the Registrar.
Summer 2026
May 18 (Mon.) Summer term begins
May 25 (Mon.) Memorial Day (university holiday; classes do not meet)
Jun 19 (Fri.) Juneteenth observance (university holiday; classes do not meet)
Jul 3 (Fri.) Independence Day (university holiday; classes do not meet)
Aug 23 (Sun.) Summer term ends
Fall 2026 (Non Law School)
Aug. 24 (Mon.) Fall term begins
Sept. 7 (Mon.) Labor Day (university holiday; classes do not meet)
Oct. 2-4 (Fri.-Sun.) Family Weekend
Oct. 12-13 (Mon.-Tue.) Fall break (classes do not meet)
Oct. 14 (Wed.) Midpoint of semester
TBD Mandatory fire drills
Nov. 25-29 (Wed.-Sun.) Thanksgiving break (classes do not meet)
Nov. 30 (Mon.) Classes resume
Dec. 4 (Fri.) Day free for study
Dec. 7-11 (Mon.-Fri.) Final evaluation period
Dec. 11 (Fri.) Fall term ends
J-Term 2027
Jan. 4 (Mon.) J-term begins
Jan. 18 (Mon.) Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (university holiday; classes do not meet)
Jan. 22 (Fri.) J-term ends
Spring 2027 (Non Law School)
Jan. 25 (Mon.) Spring term begins
TBD (Wed.) Mandatory tornado drill
Mar. 12 (Fri.) Midpoint of semester
Mar. 15-19 (Mon.-Fri.) Spring break (classes do not meet)
Apr. 21-24 (Wed.-Sat.) Drake Relays (Non-Law classes suspended for Drake Relays at 1:50pm on Fri, Apr 23)
Apr. 26 (Mon.) Classes resume
May 7 (Fri.) Day free for study
May 10-14 (Mon.-Fri.) Final evaluation period
May 14 (Fri.) Spring term ends
May 15 (Sat.) Commencement
The Official Academic Calendar is managed and updated by the Office of the Registrar. Additional Important Dates, Adding and Dropping Classes, and future and past Academics Calendars are listed below. Please note that an Academic Calendar is not official until it has been listed below as confirmed by the Faculty Senate.
Approved: 1st time to Faculty Senate, Confirmed: 2nd time to Faculty Senate. For additional information including dates faculty senate confirmed or approved an acaemic calendar, please visit the internal only Faculty Senate website.