Evaluate the Academic Calendar for Optimization

This initiative proposes to explore optimizing the University of Arizona's academic calendar to align with sustainability goals and enhance academic performance. By potentially shifting the start and end dates of semesters and introducing new session formats, such as extended summer sessions or reducing in-person class time during peak energy consumption periods, the university aims to reduce its carbon footprint associated with student travel and building operations. Careful attention should be paid to our students’ quality of education and overall campus experience to avoid negative impacts. Actionable items include:

• Form a diverse working group comprising faculty, staff, and students to analyze data from University Facility Services and the Registrar’s Office on energy usage, enrollment patterns, and academic scheduling.
• Conduct a comparative analysis of academic calendars at peer institutions to identify effective strategies for reducing carbon emissions without compromising educational quality or campus operations.
• Engage in extensive outreach through interviews, focus groups, and surveys with students, faculty, and advisors to gather feedback and identify potential challenges and opportunities associated with calendar adjustments.
• Evaluate the feasibility and implications of specific calendar changes, such as starting fall classes in September, ending before Thanksgiving, or transitioning to more online instruction post-holidays, considering both environmental impact and logistical feasibility.
• Recommend pilot testing of minor calendar adjustments to assess their effectiveness and minimize disruption to campus operations and student learning experiences.