FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, March 18, 2016
STEPHENVILLE, Texas—Due to the damages caused by the recent tornado that tracked through the city of Stephenville and the Tarleton State University campus, university administrators and the Academic Calendar Committee have announced revisions to the 2016-2017 academic calendar for the upcoming year.
The storm, which National Weather Service survey teams concluded produced an EF-1 tornado, impacted ongoing construction of the new Traditions and Honors residence halls on the campus. If Tarleton’s academic calendar were not adjusted, the construction setback from the storm damage potentially would displace more than 1,000 students at the beginning of the fall 2016 semester.
“As a student-focused university, we believe that having these new residence halls available for our incoming students is a high priority.” said Tarleton President F. Dominic Dottavio. “The tornado caused about seven to 10 days’ worth of damage at the construction projects. With this one week change in the calendar, Balfour Beatty has made a renewed commitment to finish the projects in time for our university students to move in this August.”
Due to the calendar revisions, incoming freshmen and first-year students will begin the fall semester with Transition Week activities on Monday, Aug. 22, following Move-In Days when incoming first-year students are permitted to take up residence in on-campus housing facilities. Move-In Days now will take place Aug. 19-21.
Tarleton’s decision to revise to the academic calendar will now move the start of the fall semester for returning students one week later than originally planned, with the first class day set for Monday, Aug. 29.
Dates and annual events not affected by the academic calendar revision include Tarleton’s Homecoming week and Family Weekend celebrations. Family Weekend will remain Sept. 30 through Oct. 2, while Homecoming week will be celebrated Oct. 16-22.
Final exams during the fall semester will be administered Dec. 8-14. Fall commencement ceremonies are now tentatively scheduled for Dec. 16-18.
Consequently, the university’s December holiday break will occur one week later, as will the resumption of classes in January 2017 for the spring semester. Spring classes will begin Tuesday, Jan. 17, following the observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday on Monday, Jan. 16.
In addition to noticeable calendar changes, the new dates for Spring Break, March 13-17, will now align with most of the other Texas A&M University System universities.
The spring 2017 semester will conclude with the last class day on May 3, followed by final exams being administered May 4-10.
“We recognize that changes of this magnitude to the calendar may create some issues and concerns,” Dr. Dottavio said. “We ask that everyone be as flexible and considerate as possible in adjusting to the one-week change.
“We hope the net effect will be positive for everyone. The vice presidents are prepared to work closely with individuals and departments to address any unique circumstances that may result from the change. I sincerely appreciate everyone’s cooperation and support in making this transition as smooth as possible for all involved.”
To view a complete university academic calendar, visit http://calendar.tarleton.edu.
Tarleton, a member of The Texas A&M University System, provides a student-focused, value-driven educational experience marked by academic innovation and exemplary service, and dedicated to transforming students into tomorrow’s professional leaders. With campuses in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Midlothian and online, Tarleton engages with its communities to provide real-world learning experiences and to address societal needs while maintaining its core values of integrity, leadership, tradition, civility, excellence and service.
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Contact: Kurt Mogonye
254-968-9460
[email protected]
