Important Information for Faculty Teaching Fall 2026 Courses

Dear Faculty,

Welcome to the Fall 2026 semester! We hope you had a restful and meaningful summer and are looking forward to the year ahead.

We are excited to welcome our new and returning students as they begin or continue their academic journeys at Case Western Reserve University. Below, you will find important information for all faculty, followed by resources and updates specific to those teaching undergraduate and graduate courses.

For All Faculty

Fall Semester Begins Monday, Aug. 24

Please review the Fall Semester Academic Calendar for a full list of deadlines, university holidays, and final exam dates. For deadlines related to half-semester or dynamically dated courses, refer to the University Registrar’s website. 

Drop/Add Deadline is Friday, Sept. 4

Friday, Sept. 4, is the final day to drop or add a course. Please encourage students to finalize schedules by this date.

AI Guidance

Guidance is available on incorporating AI-related policies into course syllabi, along with a collection of faculty-submitted generative AI syllabus statements. While you may choose the approach that best fits your course, please ensure expectations are clear to students. Students should have a clear understanding of when and how AI may—and may not—be used, so they can confidently meet course expectations.

Campus Climate and Civil Discourse

The Civil Discourse Advisory Group, led by faculty and staff, formulated 10 skills for engaging in civil discourse for use by the campus. These skills serve as a framework for promoting respectful dialogue and constructive engagement and are available as a resource that you can feel free to use if helpful. In addition, the Office of Equity provides training tailored to faculty, while UCITE offers pedagogical support to help faculty create constructive learning environments.

Student Support

Please consult with the Office of Undergraduate Advising Support, the School of Graduate Studies or other school-based student affairs offices if you have concerns about a student. If a student is exhibiting behaviors that indicate distress, causing a disturbance, presenting a danger to oneself or others, and/or needs help accessing basic needs resources, please submit a CARE Referral. If you are concerned about the immediate health and safety of yourself or another CWRU community member, please call CWRU Police at 216.386.3333. In addition to these on-campus services, the university provides students with 24/7 virtual medical and mental health support through TimelyCare.

For Faculty Teaching Undergraduate Courses

Course Syllabi

Please review syllabus guidance for undergraduate courses. This guidance includes preferred language about disability accommodations, academic integrity and more.

Attendance Policy

Please consider this guidance on class attendance for undergraduate courses. Each instructor may determine their own attendance policy and should make the policy clearly known at the start of the course.

Advising and Absences

Undergraduate students with legitimate reasons for missing deadlines should contact their four-year advisors. Four-year advisors do not have the authority to excuse a student from class. However, for prolonged absences due to illness, family crisis, or other significant unforeseen events, the four-year advisor can support you and the students by collecting information and documentation so that you can determine an appropriate response and/or arrangements.

Questions?

The Undergraduate Advising Support Office website provides additional faculty and advisor resources. For additional information, please contact Molly Watkins, dean of undergraduate advising, or email the team at ugadvisingsupport@case.edu.

For Faculty Teaching Graduate Courses and Mentoring Graduate Students

Course Syllabi

Please review syllabus guidance for graduate courses. This guidance includes preferred language about disability accommodations, academic integrity and more.

Attendance Policy

Please consider this guidance on class attendance for graduate courses. Each instructor may determine their own attendance policy and should make the policy clearly known at the start of the course.

Graduation and Course Deadlines

In addition to the University Registrar’s calendar, faculty teaching and mentoring graduate students should review the School of Graduate Studies calendar for deadlines related to theses, dissertations, and graduation requirements.

Questions?

The School of Graduate Studies website provides policies, advising information, and training resources to support graduate faculty. For additional information, please contact Marvin Nieman, vice provost and dean for graduate studies, or email their team at gradstudies@case.edu.

Thank you for all you do for our students and for this university. We wish you a wonderful semester ahead, filled with meaningful work, exciting opportunities and plenty of reasons to be proud of what we can and will accomplish together.

Sincerely,

Joy K. Ward
Provost and Executive Vice President

Important Dates for 2026

Aug. 24 – Classes Begin
Sep. 4 – Late Registration and Drop/Add End
Sep. 7 – Labor Day Holiday
Oct. 19–20 – Fall Break
Oct. 19 – Mid-Semester Grades Due (UG)
Nov. 6 – Deadline, prior term I grade removal (UG, G)
Nov. 6 – Deadline Credit/Audit (G)
Nov. 6 – Deadline for Class Withdrawal and P/NP election (upperclass UG)
Nov. 9 – Registration for Spring Begins (UG)
Nov. 26–27 – Thanksgiving Holidays
Dec. 4 – Deadline for Class Withdrawal and P/NP election (first year UG)
Dec. 4 – Last Day of Class
Dec. 7 and 11 – Reading Days
Dec. 8 – Final Exams Begin
Dec. 16 – Final Exams End
Dec. 18 – Final Grades Due by 11 a.m.