In Summer 2023, Senate requested a formal review of the academic calendar to tackle the pressing issue of workload peaks at the University of Southampton. This review was to consider the impact of any changes to the calendar on both staff and students, with a focus on workloads, wellbeing, and operational efficiency.
The Academic Calendar Year Steering Group was tasked with undertaking some scoping work on potential changes to how we organise our academic calendar. Following the Phase 1 Discovery period and the Phase 2 Consultation, we presented Senate with four potential options for the shape of the future academic calendar. After engaging in lively and thoughtful discussions, factoring in issues raised during the consultation such as staff and student wellbeing, impacts of any changes beyond the academic community and changes in practices necessary beyond changes to the calendar, a decision was reached about which options to take forward for more detailed consideration in Phase 3 of the project.
The two broad options recommended are:
- Changes to practice and processes without change to the academic calendar (Option 1 in the Phase 2 consultation period) or
- Changes to practice and processes together with modest change to the calendar that moves the two assessment periods forward by one week (Option 2).
Phase 3 (February – April 2025) will focus on collectively defining the practice and process changes needed in both Options 1 and 2, and on refining Option 2 and its potential variations. These variations of Option 2, championed by different stakeholders and shaped by disciplinary differences and other potential impacts, will be interrogated, and carefully explored by representatives across our community – staff and students alike – to consider benefits and disadvantages.
The project team supported by SUMS will carry out a range of activities with staff and students including interviews, consultative workshops, Town Hall sessions and surveys. This is your opportunity to actively contribute to shaping the academic calendar. We invite you to join us in these upcoming sessions (dates and times to be confirmed) to ensure that your voice is heard and that we fully consider the impacts, positive and negative, across a wide range of stakeholder groups.
The Academic Calendar Review Steering Group remains committed to a transparent, inclusive process, and your feedback is crucial in agreeing the best way forward. We will be updating the SharePoint site soon so colleagues can use the resources there to shape conversations in your teams, workgroups, departments, and programmes and contribute to impact assessments and other considerations. Thank you for your continued engagement and support.