Compressed Calendar

 

The current academic calendar configuration is an 18-week flexible calendar.  It includes two 18-week semesters and 10 days of professional development.  Title 5, Section 58120, as modified in 1996, permits districts to count any day that includes at least three hours of instruction, including Saturday and Sunday.  As a result, primary terms can be shorter since more days can now be counted towards the 175-day requirement.

The District created a task force in 2017-2018 to analyze the movement to a compressed calendar.  The task force, comprised of both constituent and expert members, studied internal factors (such as student and employee preferences and operational matters), regional issues (such alignment between other educational institutions), and worked with the State Chancellor’s Office to ensure technical compliance with state mandates.  While the District did not move forward with the compressed calendar at that time, both Grossmont College and Cuyamaca College Faculty Senates approved a resolution in spring 2022 to move forward with a compressed calendar.  The Governing Board voted to adopt the 16-week calendar configuration at their August 2022 meeting, and approved adoption of the 2023-2024 academic calendar at the October 2022 meeting.  In addition, the District received approval from the State Chancellor’s Office in October 2022 to shorten, or compress, its primary terms. 

The 2023-2024 academic calendar will include two 16-week semesters, as well as an intersession during January, while retaining 10 days of professional development and eliminating finals week.  Final exams can be scheduled the last week of class.  There are many potential benefits to transitioning to a compressed calendar.  For example, research has shown increases in student success and retention.  In addition, the 16-week configuration aligns more closely with the term lengths of local colleges and universities, and provides students with earlier opportunities for summer employment and competitive internships.

Notes:

The districtwide Academic Calendar Committee (ACC) is responsible for developing the annual academic calendar.  More information about the ACC can be found on the intranet.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact Barbara Gallego, Interim Associate Vice Chancellor of Educational Support Services at barbara.gallego@gcccd.edu

 

Last Updated: 5/3/2023