Dear UNT Community Members,
As you may know, our university's Faculty Senate and academic leadership have long discussed how to include a week-long break from classes in the fall semester — similar to spring break. Next fall (in 2023), UNT will observe a class-free week from Nov. 20-24, 2023. This means UNT will be open, but won't be holding classes Nov. 20-22, 2023, and will close to observe the holiday Nov. 23-24 as usual.
Providing a fall break will allow our students time to rest, recharge, and prepare for the end of the semester so that they may finish strong with the best grades possible.
To make this happen, UNT will change its roster of 2023 summer semesters and the start date for Fall 2023 to include the new fall break. Those changes likely will include elimination of the full-length summer term (SUM) as well as 8W2, which will become a 10-week semester. The final and specific details will be provided to faculty and class schedulers through the Office of the Provost and the Registrar's office when the final calendar is set later this month.
These changes — which take effect next year — are intended to help offer UNT students the flexibility they seek in earning a degree. While we know this change may cause disruption for some faculty and staff members, I believe it is the right thing to do. As many spend the holiday during this time with family, supervisors will be encouraged to operate with limited crews during the fall break week to allow as many employees as much time off as possible — just as they do during spring break. And employees will be supported in reaching out to supervisors for possible flexibility to work from home or to flex time. In addition, we are planning a free community lunch for those working on the Monday of that week.
I am grateful that we have found a solution that meets all requirements and will serve our students. My sincere thanks go to our Registrar for finding a solution that provides this opportunity for our students. And I thank each of you who do your best every day to serve our students and help them reach their educational goals.
UNT Proud,
Neal Smatresk