Instructor reminders in preparation for Spring Quarter

Dear instructors, 

We write with a few reminders as you prepare for your Spring classes. 

First, we strongly encourage you to link to Northwestern’s Syllabus Standards in your syllabi. This is an easy and consistent way to convey a range of University policies. 

Second, don’t forget about Northwestern Monday. Spring Quarter begins on Tuesday, March 31, with Monday classes meeting that day. Classes that meet on a Tuesday/Thursday schedule will meet for their first class on Thursday. Classes that usually meet only on Tuesdays will not meet during the first week of the term. Students’ CAESAR class schedule will reflect the following:

• Monday, March 30: No classes (Spring Break)
• Tuesday, March 31: Classes begin. “Northwestern Monday” means that classes scheduled for Monday meet on this day.
• Wednesday, April 1: Schedule returns to normal.
• Tuesday, April 7: Tuesday-only classes meet for the first time.

We also want to remind you of the Undergraduate Policy on In-Person Arrival and Course Engagement. Many graduate and professional programs have similar expectations. If you hear from students who do not plan to arrive during the first week of the quarter, we encourage you to refer them to this or your school/program policy. 

Finally, we want to remind you about Northwestern’s Policy on Academic Accommodations for Religious Observance, which sets expectations that you will avoid scheduling exams on religious holidays when possible and provide accommodations when conflicts arise. With several holidays occurring in the first week of class this spring, please remind students that religious accommodations are for local observance and that students must comply with the in-person arrival policy. We will also remind students in separate emails.

Please direct Evanston undergraduate students to the appropriate forms to request religious accommodation for common midterms or final exams. They must submit requests by the end of the second week of the quarter, so please include exam and assignment due dates in your syllabi. Graduate accommodations and those outside of undergraduate common midterms or finals typically are handled through discussions between students and their instructors, with support from administrators if needed.

Thank you for all you do to support students and their learning. If you have any questions, please let us know. 

Sincerely, 

Jaci Casazza
Assistant Provost and University Registrar  

Karen Smilowitz
Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education