Reason #9 You Should Visit
Museum masterworks
A Culture of Care
Read Smith’s plans for the fall 2020 semester
and the college’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
and the college’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Academic Calendar
2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22
Please note that dates are subject to change. Visit the registrar’s calendar for detailed dates and deadlines.
Fall 2019
Friday, August 30
Central check-in for new students
Tuesday, September 3–Wednesday, September 4, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Key pick-up (Clark Hall) and move-in for returning students
Friday, August 30–Wednesday, September 4: Orientation
The week before the start of classes, new students gather to learn about the college and get to know each other.
Wednesday, September 4
Opening convocation, 7 p.m.
Thursday, September 5
Classes begin at 8 a.m.
Wednesday, September 11
Last day to add a course online
Wednesday, September 18
Last day to drop a course online; last day to add a Five College course
Wednesday, September 25
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 12–Tuesday, October 15
Autumn recess
Monday, October 28: 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.
Friday, October 25–Sunday, October 27: Family Weekend
Students and their families are invited to attend concerts, lectures and panel discussions as well as athletic and social events.
Monday, November 4–Friday, November 15
Advising and course registration for the spring 2020 semester
Thursday, November 7: 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.
Wednesday, November 27–Sunday, December 1
Thanksgiving recess (houses close at 10 a.m. on November 27 and open at 1 p.m. on December 1)
Thursday, December 12
Last day of classes
Friday, December 13–Monday, December 16
Pre-examination study period
Tuesday, December 17–Friday, December 20
Final examinations
Saturday, December 21, 2019–Sunday, January 5, 2020
Winter recess (houses close at 10 a.m. on December 21 and open at 1 p.m. on January 5)
Wednesday, January 8
Fall 2019 grades due
Interterm 2020
Monday, January 6–Friday, January 24
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 20.
Houses open for returning students at 1 p.m. on January 5. Students returning from study abroad/away, readmitted students and transfers for the spring semester may move in Thursday, January 23; keys may be picked up at Clark Hall from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Spring 2020
Thursday, January 23–Sunday, January 26
Orientation for entering students
Monday, January 27
Classes begin at 8 a.m.
Friday, January 31
Last day to add a course online
Friday, February 7
Last day to drop a course online; last day to add a Five College course
Friday, February 14
Last day to add a Smith course
Thursday, 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 14–Sunday, March 22
Spring recess (houses close at 10 a.m. on March 14 and open at 1 p.m. on March 22)
Monday, April 20–Friday, May 1
Advising and course registration for the fall 2020 semester
Saturday, April 25: Celebrating Collaborations
Celebrating Collaborations is Smith’s annual showcase of student research and performance, highlighting the collaborative efforts of students and faculty.
Friday, May 1
Last day of classes
Saturday, May 2–Friday, May 8
Assessment Period
Monday, May 11
Senior grades due
Thursday, May 14–Sunday, May 17
Reunion I Weekend
CANCELED | Sunday, May 17: Commencement
On March 18, President McCartney announced the college's decision to cancel this year's Reunion and 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.
Thursday, May 21–Sunday, May 24
Reunion II Weekend
Tuesday, May 26
Non-senior grades due
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.
Note that some dates are awaiting final review and may be adjusted. This should not affect start or end dates for the semesters.
Fall 2020
Wednesday, August 26
Central check-in for new students
Sunday, August 30–Monday, August 31
Key pick-up (Clark Hall) and move-in for returning students
Wednesday, August 26–Monday, August 31: Orientation
The week before the start of classes, new students gather to learn about the college and get to know each other.
Monday, August 31
(Tentative) Opening convocation, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, September 1
Fall 2020 Instruction begins, classes begin at 7:45 a.m.
Monday, September 7
Labor Day—classes scheduled
Monday, September 14
Last day to add a course online; last day to add/drop a first-half-semester course; last day to add a course permission via waiver form; last day to add a Five College course
Monday, September 21
Last day to add a Smith course with class dean permission; last day for Ada Comstock scholars to drop a course without financial consequences.
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.
Monday, October 5
Last day to drop a full-semester course; last day to free drop or change grading mode in first-half-semester course
Monday, October 19
First half-semester courses end
Tuesday October 20
Second-half-semester courses begin
TBA: Family Weekend
Students and their families are invited to participate in remote programming
Monday, November 2
Last day to change grading mode in a Smith course; last day to use free drop option (with class dean approval); last day to add/drop a second-half-semester course
Monday, November 9–Friday, November 20
Advising and course registration for the spring 2021 semester
Tuesday, November 10: 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 23
Last day to free drop or change grading mode in second-half-semester course
Tuesday, November 24
Last day of on-campus instruction
Wednesday, November 25
Fall 2020 residential move-out deadline
Wednesday, November 25–Sunday, November 29
Thanksgiving recess
Monday, November 30
All-remote instruction begins
Friday, December 4
Last day of instruction
Monday, December 7
Mountain Day make-up
Tuesday, December 8–Friday, December 11
Review period
Monday, December 14–Thursday, December 17
Final examinations
Wednesday, December 23, 2020–Sunday, January 3, 2021
Winter recess
Monday, January 4
Fall 2020 grades due
Interterm 2021— Extended (6 weeks/28 days)
Monday, January 4
Interterm instruction begins; Interterm add/drop begins; Faculty: Fall 2020 grades due at noon
Friday, January 8
Last day to drop or add a course online; last day to add a course with permission via waiver form
Monday, January 18
Martin Luther King, Jr Day—all classes canceled
Tuesday, January 19
Last day to drop an interterm course
Friday, January 29
Last day to change grading mode in a Smith course; last day to use free drop option (with class dean approval)
Thursday, February 11
Interterm ends
Friday February 19
Intertern 2021 grades due by noon
Spring 2021
Thursday, February 11–Sunday, February 14
Orientation for entering students
Monday, February 15
Spring 2021 instruction begins, 7:45 a.m.; beginning of add/drop period
Thursday, February 18: 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. Note: Afternoon classes to be made up on Saturday, February 20
Friday, February 19
Last day to submit a special studies application
Friday, February 26
Last day to add or drop a course online; last day to add/drop a first-half-semester course; last day to submit permission via waiver form; last day to add a Five College course
Friday, March 5
Last day to add a Smith course; last day for Ada Comstock scholars to drop a course without financial consequences
Friday, March 19
Last day to drop a full-semester course; last day to free drop or change grading mode in first-half-semester course
Monday April 12
Spring 2021 mid-semester grades due
Monday, April 19–Friday, April 30
(Tentative) Advising and course registration for the fall 2021 semester
Friday, April 23
Last day to change grading mode in Smith course; last day to add/drop a second-half-semester course; last day to use free drop option (with class dean approval)
Friday, May 7
Last day to free drop or change grading mode in a second-half-semester course
Monday, May 10
Spring 2021 exam copies due in registrar's office<
Friday, May 14
Last day of instruction
Saturday, May 15–Monday, May 17
Pre-examination review period
Tuesday, May 18–Friday, May 21
Final examination period
Saturday, May 22–Friday, May 28
Senior week
Monday, May 24
Senior grades and graduate student grades due by noon
Sunday, May 30
Commencement
Tuesday, June 1
Non-senior grades due
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.
Please note that dates are subject to change. Visit the registrar’s calendar for detailed dates and deadlines.
Fall 2021
Friday, September 3
Central check-in for new students
Friday, September 3–Wednesday, September 8: Orientation
The week before the start of classes, new students gather to learn about the college and get to know each other.
Tuesday, September 7–Wednesday, September 8, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Key pick-up (Clark Hall) and move-in for returning students
Wednesday, September 8
Opening convocation, 7 p.m.
Thursday, September 9
Classes begin at 8 a.m.
Wednesday, September 15
Last day to add a course online
Wednesday, September 22
Last day to drop a course online; last day to add a Five College course
Wednesday, September 29
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 9–Tuesday, October 12
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 4: Cromwell Day (tentative)
Cromwell Day provides dedicated time and space for reflection and education about diversity, racism and inclusion. Afternoon and evening classes are canceled.
Monday, November 8–Friday, November 19 (tentative)
Advising and course registration for the spring 2022 semester
Wednesday, November 24–Sunday, November 28
Thanksgiving recess (houses close at 10 a.m. on November 24 and open at 1 p.m. on November 28)
Thursday, December 16
Last day of classes
Friday, December 17–Sunday, December 19
Pre-examination study period
Monday, December 20–Wednesday, December 22
Final examinations (note compressed exam period; self-scheduled exams extend into evening)
Wednesday, December 23, 2021–Sunday, January 2, 2022
Winter recess (houses close at 10 a.m. on December 23 and open at 1 p.m. on January 2)
Thursday, January 6
Fall 2021 grades due
Interterm 2022
Monday, January 3–Friday, January 21
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 17.
Houses open for returning students at 1 p.m. on January 2. Students returning from study abroad/away, readmitted students and transfers for the spring semester may move in Monday, January 17; keys may be picked up at Clark Hall from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Spring 2022
Thursday, January 20–Sunday, January 23
Orientation for entering students
Monday, January 24
Classes begin at 8 a.m.
Friday, January 28
Last day to add a course online
Friday, February 4
Last day to drop a course online; last day to add a Five College course
Friday, February 11
Last day to add a Smith course
Thursday, February 17: 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 12–Sunday, March 20 (tentative)
Spring recess (houses close at 10 a.m. on March 12 and open at 1 p.m. on March 20)
Monday, April 4–Friday, April 15
Advising and course registration for the fall 2022 semester
TBA: Celebrating Collaborations
Celebrating Collaborations is Smith’s annual showcase of student research and performance, highlighting the collaborative efforts of students and faculty.
Friday, April 29
Last day of classes
Saturday, April 30–Monday, May 2
Pre-examination study period
Tuesday, May 3–Friday, May 6
Final examinations
Saturday, May 8
Houses close at 10 a.m. for all students except graduates, Commencement workers and those with Five College finals after May 8
Monday, May 9
Senior and graduate student grades due
Sunday, May 15: 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 16
All houses close at noon
Monday, May 16
Non-senior grades due
Saturday, May 19–Sunday, May 22 (tentative)
Second Reunion Weekend
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.
Note: Due to COVID-19, the 2020–21 calendar has been significantly adjusted. Please review the updated calendar on the 2020–21 NEW tab for those details.
Please note that dates are subject to change. Visit the registrar’s calendar for detailed dates and deadlines.
| Fall Semester | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
| Labor Day | September 2 | September 7 | September 6 |
| Classes Begin | September 5 | September 8 | September 9 |
| Last day to add a course online | September 11 | September 14 | September 15 |
| Last day to drop a course online; last day to add a Five College course |
September 18 | September 18 | September 22 |
| Last day to add a Smith course | September 25 | September 25 | September 29 |
| Fall Break | October 12–15 | October 10–13 | October 9–12 |
| Family Weekend | October 25–27 | October 23–25 | TBA |
| Cromwell Day | November 7 | November 10 | November 4 (tentative) |
| Spring Advising/Registration | November 4–15 | November 9-20 | November 8-19 (tentative) |
| Thanksgiving Break | November 27–December 1 | November 25-29 | November 24-28 |
| Classes End | December 12 | December 15 | December 16 |
| Pre-exam Study Period | December 13–16 | December 16–18 | December 17–19 |
| Examinations | December 17–20 | December 19–22 | December 20–22 |
| Winter Recess | December 21–January 5 | December 23– January 3 |
December 23– January 2 |
| Fall grades due | January 8, 2020 | January 6, 2021 | January 6, 2022 |
| Interterm | January 6–24, 2020 | January 3–23, 2021 | January 3–21, 2022 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | January 20 | January 18 | January 17 |
| Spring Semester | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
| Classes Begin | January 27 | January 25 | January 24 |
| Last day to add a course online | January 31 | January 29 | January 28 |
| Last day to drop a course online; last day to add a Five College course |
February 7 | February 5 | February 4 |
| Last day to add a Smith course | February 14 | February 12 | February 11 |
| Rally Day | February 20 | February 18 | February 17 (tentative) |
| Spring Break | March 14–22 | March 13–21 (tentative) | March 12–20 (tentative |
| Fall Advising/Registration | April 20–May 1 | April 5–16 | April 4–15 (tentative) |
| Classes End | May 1 | April 30 | April 29 |
| Pre-exam Study Period | N/A | May 1–3 | April 30–May 2 |
| Examinations | (Assessment Period) May 2–8 |
May 4–7 | May 3–6 |
| Senior grades due | May 11 | May 10 | May 9 |
| Reunion I Weekend | May 14–17 (Canceled) | May 13–16 | May 12–15 |
| Commencement | May 17 (Canceled) | May 16 | May 15 |
| Non-senior grades due | May 26 | May 17 | May 16 |
| Reunion II Weekend | May 21–24 (Canceled) | May 20–23 | May 19–22 (tentative) |
