Reason #5 You Should VISIT
Unique architecture
Academic Calendar
2017–18, 2018–19
Fall 2017
Friday, September 1, 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Central check-in for new students
Tuesday, September 5, 1–4 p.m.
Wednesday, September 6, 10 a.m.–noon
Key pick-up for returning students
Friday, September 1–Wednesday, September 6: Orientation
The week before the start of classes, new students gather to learn about the college and get to know each other.
Wednesday, September 6
Opening convocation, 7 p.m.
Thursday, September 7
Classes begin at 8 a.m.
Wednesday, September 20
End of Interchange registration
To be announced by the president: Mountain Day
Mountain Day is a surprise break from classes. The president chooses a beautiful fall day and announces the holiday by ringing the college bells. Classes scheduled before 7 p.m. are canceled.
Saturday, October 7–Tuesday, October 10
Autumn recess
Friday, October 13–Sunday, October 15: Family Weekend
Students and their families are invited to attend concerts, lectures and panel discussions as well as athletic and social events.
Thursday, November 2: Otelia Cromwell Day
Otelia Cromwell Day is an annual slate of workshops, lectures, films and entertainment held to honor Smith’s first African American graduate. Afternoon and evening classes are canceled.
Monday, November 6–Friday, November 17
Advising and course registration for the second semester
Friday, November 10: Smith in the World Conference
The annual Smith in the World Conference explores the relationship between formal classroom education and learning that takes place off-campus.
Tuesday, November 14: Sherrerd Teaching Prize Ceremony
The Sherrerd Prize for Distinguished Teaching is given annually to Smith faculty members selected for their distinguished teaching records and demonstrated enthusiasm and excellence.
Wednesday, November 22–Sunday, November 26
Thanksgiving recess (houses close at 10 a.m. on November 22 and open at 1 p.m. on November 26)
Thursday, December 14
Last day of classes
Friday, December 15–Monday, December 18
Pre-examination study period
Tuesday, December 19–Friday, December 22
Midyear examinations (no evening period on December 22)
Saturday, December 23, 2017–Monday, January 1, 2018
Winter recess (houses close at 10 a.m. on December 23 and open at 1 p.m. on January 2)
Interterm 2018
Wednesday, January 3–Tuesday, January 23
During January interterm, the college is open, but residence is not required. Interterm provides time for students to investigate a special area of interest; to participate in courses, activities and conferences at Smith and other area colleges; to do work in libraries, museums, laboratories, etc.; to participate in internships; to work on research projects; or to enjoy the facilities of the campus at a more leisurely pace. No classes are held on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 15.
Spring 2018
Thursday, January 25
Classes begin at 8 a.m.
Wednesday, February 21: Rally Day
Rally Day is highlighted by an all-college convocation at which distinguished alumnae are awarded the Smith College Medal, with a reception to follow. Afternoon classes are canceled.
Saturday, March 10–Sunday, March 18
Spring recess (houses close at 10 a.m. on March 10 and open at 1 p.m. on March 18)
Monday, April 2–Friday, April 13
Advising and course registration for the fall semester
TBA: Celebrating Collaborations
Celebrating Collaborations is Smith’s annual showcase of student research and performance, highlighting the collaborative efforts of students and faculty.
Thursday, May 3
Last day of classes
Friday, May 4–Monday, May 7
Pre-examination study period
Tuesday, May 8–Friday, May 11
Final examinations (no evening period on May 11)
Saturday, May 12
Houses close at 10 a.m. for all students except graduates, Commencement workers and those with Five College finals after May 12.
Sunday, May 20: Commencement
Commencement Weekend is Smith’s final chance to honor its graduating seniors and to observe such traditions as Ivy Day and Illumination Night. The weekend culminates on Sunday when families, friends and seniors gather for the awarding of diplomas.
Monday, May 21
All houses close at noon.
Add the academic calendar to your Smith Google Apps calendar! Under "Other Calendars," type "academiccalendar" into the "Add a coworker's calendar" field. Or get the academic calendar for Apple’s Calendar app.
Fall 2018
Friday, August 31
Central check-in for new students
Friday, August 31–Wednesday, September 5: Orientation
The week before the start of classes, new students gather to learn about the college and get to know each other.
Tuesday, September 4–5
Key pick-up and move-in for returning students
Wednesday, September 5
Opening convocation, 7 p.m.
Thursday, September 6
Classes begin at 8 a.m.
Wednesday, September 19
Last day to add a Five College course; last day to drop a course online
Wednesday, September 26
Last day to add a Smith course
To be announced by the president: Mountain Day
Mountain Day is a surprise break from classes. The president chooses a beautiful fall day and announces the holiday by ringing the college bells. Classes scheduled before 7 p.m. are canceled.
Saturday, October 6–Tuesday, October 9
Autumn recess
TBA: Sherrerd Teaching Prize Ceremony
The Sherrerd Prize for Distinguished Teaching is given annually to Smith faculty members selected for their distinguished teaching records and demonstrated enthusiasm and excellence.
TBA: Family Weekend
Students and their families are invited to attend concerts, lectures and panel discussions as well as athletic and social events.
Thursday, November 1: Otelia Cromwell Day
Otelia Cromwell Day is an annual slate of workshops, lectures, films and entertainment held to honor Smith’s first African American graduate. Afternoon and evening classes are canceled.
Monday, November 5–Friday, November 16
Advising and course registration for the second semester
Wednesday, November 21–Sunday, November 25
Thanksgiving recess (houses close at 10 a.m. on November 21 and open at 1 p.m. on November 25)
Thursday, December 13
Last day of classes
Friday, December 14–Monday, December 17
Pre-examination study period
Tuesday, December 18–Friday, December 21
Midyear examinations (no evening period on December 21)
Saturday, December 22, 2018–Tuesday, January 1, 2019
Winter recess (houses close at 10 a.m. on December 22 and open at 1 p.m. on January 2)
Interterm 2019
Thursday, January 3–Wednesday, January 23
During January interterm, the college is open, but residence is not required. Interterm provides time for students to investigate a special area of interest; to participate in courses, activities and conferences at Smith and other area colleges; to do work in libraries, museums, laboratories, etc.; to participate in internships; to work on research projects; or to enjoy the facilities of the campus at a more leisurely pace. No classes are held on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 21.
Spring 2019
Thursday, January 24
Classes begin at 8 a.m.
Wednesday, February 6
Last day to add a Five College course; last day to drop a course online
Wednesday, February 13
Last day to add a Smith course
Wednesday, February 20: Rally Day
Rally Day is highlighted by an all-college convocation at which distinguished alumnae are awarded the Smith College Medal, with a reception to follow. Afternoon classes are canceled.
Saturday, March 9–Sunday, March 17
Spring recess (houses close at 10 a.m. on March 9 and open at 1 p.m. on March 17)
Monday, April 1–Friday, April 12
Advising and course registration for the fall semester
TBA: Celebrating Collaborations
Celebrating Collaborations is Smith’s annual showcase of student research and performance, highlighting the collaborative efforts of students and faculty.
Thursday, May 2
Last day of classes; Wednesday afternoon classes meet
Friday, May 3–Monday, May 6
Pre-examination study period
Tuesday, May 7–Friday, May 10
Final examinations (no evening period on May 10)
Saturday, May 11
Houses close at 10 a.m. for all students except graduates, Commencement workers and those with Five College finals after May 11.
Sunday, May 19: Commencement
Commencement Weekend is Smith’s final chance to honor its graduating seniors and to observe such traditions as Ivy Day and Illumination Night. The weekend culminates on Sunday when families, friends and seniors gather for the awarding of diplomas.
Monday, May 20
All houses close at noon.
Add the academic calendar to your Smith Google Apps calendar! Under "Other Calendars," type "academiccalendar" into the "Add a coworker's calendar" field. Or get the academic calendar for Apple’s Calendar app.
| Fall Semester | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
| Labor Day | September 5 | September 4 | September 3 |
| Classes Begin | September 8 | September 7 | September 6 |
| Last day to add a Five College course | September 21 | September 20 | September 19 |
| Fall Break | October 8–11 | October 7–10 | October 6–9 |
| Family Weekend | October 21–23 | October 13–15 | TBA |
| Otelia Cromwell Day | November 3 | November 2 | November 1 |
| Spring Advising/Registration | November 7–18 | November 6-17 | November 5–16 |
| Thanksgiving Break | November 23–27 | November 22-26 | November 21–25 |
| Classes End | December 15 | December 14 | December 13 |
| Pre-exam Study Period | December 16–18 | December 15–18 | December 14–17 |
| Examinations | December 19–22 | December 19–22 | December 18–21 |
| Winter Recess | December 23– January 2 |
December 23– January 1 |
December 22– January 1 |
| Grades Due | January 9, 2017 | January 8, 2018 | January 8, 2019 |
| Interterm | January 4–24, 2017 | January 3–23, 2018 | January 3–23, 2019 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | January 16 | January 15 | January 21 |
| Spring Semester | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 |
| Classes Begin | January 26 | January 25 | January 24 |
| Last day to add a Five College course | February 8 | February 7 | February 6 |
| Rally Day | February 23 | February 21 | February 20 |
| Spring Break | March 11–19 | March 10–18 | March 9–17 |
| Fall Advising/Registration | April 3–14 | April 2–13 | April 1–12 |
| Classes End | May 4 | May 3 | May 2 |
| Pre-exam Study Period | May 5–8 | May 4–7 | May 3–6 |
| Examinations | May 9–12 | May 8–11 | May 7–10 |
| Grades Due (seniors) | May 15 | May 14 | May 13 |
| Commencement | May 21 | May 20 | May 19 |
| Grades Due (others) | May 22 | May 21 | May 20 |
