King's extends break before Winter Term classes

Late this afternoon, the Western University Senate voted to delay the start of the Winter 2021 academic term, which includes classes at King’s. Classes will now begin on January 11, 2021 instead of January 4, 2021. The end of the term will remain April 30, 2021. We will still have the Winter Reading Week break. However, the final exam period will be shortened to 17 days. The delayed start of the term upholds the university’s required number of instructional days.

This change is being made to give our students and faculty a longer break between the two terms, and it is a step that I fully support. Everyone has had to make huge adjustments this fall including spending extended amounts of time online. I urge you to give your eyes a rest from the screens and use this extra time in January before classes resume catching up on your rest, exercise and reading. 

King's campus will close as of December 22, 2020 in advance of the Christmas holidays. This will give our employees an additional two days off to celebrate the holiday season without using their vacation days. We invite all employees to use their COVID care days before December 22. King’s campus will reopen for administrative services on January 4, 2021.

Our Dean of Students, Joe Henry, joins me in welcoming this news. “This additional time will allow students time to focus on self-care and wellness prior to starting the second term. Students are encouraged to adhere to all public health regulations, so they keep themselves, and those around them, safe," says Joe Henry.

King’s faculty will be reaching out directly to their students via OWL as per any adjustments to class dates, deadlines, etc. for Winter 2021. 

Some important updates from the Academic Dean's Office for 2021:

• February reading week remains February 15 - 19, 2021
• Study day before April exam period was April 6 & 7, 2021 now April 13, 2021
• Exam period was April 8 - 30, 2021 now it is April 14 - 30, 2021 

If students have questions about how this change will affect academic dates and deadlines or other possible impacts, you should feel free to reach out to the Student Services team at King’s or to the Academic Dean’s Office. Students living in residence with questions should contact the Residence Office. Students in graduate studies in the School of Social Work should contact their School for more details about any activities that may start before January 11, 2021.

Many other universities across Canada are making similar moves to extend the break before January classes begin as a way to benefit most members of the university community regarding mental health and any possible needs to self-isolate due to COVID-19 exposure. 

I wish you all the best as you complete the fall term, which I know has been far from what anyone expected. I am proud of how our students, faculty and staff continue to carry on, innovate and discover ways to stay connected and make difference.

As always, take care of yourself, each other and we will take care of this place during the extended break between terms.