Spring 2026 reminders and resources for faculty

Dear Faculty,

Welcome to the Spring 2026 semester! We hope you had a restorative and restful winter break. Below, you will find important information for all faculty, followed by details specific to those teaching undergraduate and graduate courses. Be sure to mark your calendars for the important dates at the end of the email.

For All Faculty

Spring Semester Begins Monday, Jan. 12

Please review the Spring 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, Jan. 23

Friday, Jan. 23, is the final day to drop or add a course. Please encourage students to finalize schedules by this date.

AI Guidance

The Provost’s Office sample AI policy statements are available to help you communicate expectations about AI use in the classroom. While you may choose the approach that best fits your course and learning objective, we ask that you please ensure expectations are clear to students.

Digital Accessibility

We remain committed to ensuring all digital academic content is accessible to every member of our community. Faculty are encouraged to take advantage of available resources, training and support to incorporate digital accessibility best practices into course materials. Beginning this month, instructors can also participate in quick monthly “Small Changes, Big Impact” Canvas accessibility mini-challenges to make meaningful improvements in just minutes. If you have questions or need guidance, explore the available resources or connect with our digital accessibility team for support.

Civil Classrooms

Creating a civil classroom is essential to meaningful learning and engagement. The Enhancing Civility & Connection initiative offers quick guidance and in-person workshops to help you minimize disruptions and maintain safety, respect and productive dialogue in your classrooms. In addition, the Civil Discourse Advisory Group, made-up of faculty and staff, has outlined 10 skills for engaging in civil discourse to highlight what civility looks like in action. Please feel free to use them wherever they may be helpful.

Student Support

Please consult with the Office of Undergraduate Advising Support, the School of Graduate Studies or other relevant offices if you have concerns about a student. If you are concerned for the immediate safety of yourself or others, please contact the CWRU Police at 216.368.3333. For non-emergency issues, please submit a CARE Referral. Early outreach can help ensure students receive the support they need. 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 and Attendance Policy

Please review syllabus guidance for undergraduate courses. This guidance includes preferred language about disability accommodations and academic integrity. In addition, please consider this guidance on class attendance for undergraduate courses. Each instructor is free to 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 appropriate responses and 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 and Attendance Policy

Please review syllabus guidance for graduate courses. This guidance includes preferred language about disability accommodations and academic integrity. In addition, please consider this guidance on class attendance for graduate courses. Each instructor is free to 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 the team at gradstudies@case.edu.

Thank you for all you do to educate and support our students. I wish you a rewarding and successful semester.

Sincerely,

Joy K. Ward
Provost and Executive Vice President

Important Dates – Spring 2026

Jan. 12 – Classes Begin
Jan. 19 – Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
Jan. 13 – Late Registration Fee ($25) Begins
Jan. 23 – Late Registration and Drop/Add End
Jan. 23 – Deadline Credit/Audit (UG)
March 9 – Mid-Semester Grades Due (UG)
March 9-13 – Spring Break
March 27 – Deadline, prior term I grade removal (UG, G)
March 27 – Deadline Credit/Audit (G)
March 27 – Deadline for Class Withdrawal and P/NP (upperclass UG)
March 30 – Open Registration for Summer Begins (UG)
April 6 – Open Registration for Fall Begins (UG)
April 27 – Deadline for Class Withdrawal and P/NP (first year UG)
April 27 – Last Day of Class
April 28-29 – Reading Days
April 30 – Final Exams Begin
May 7 – Final Exams End
May 9 – Final Grades Due by 11 a.m.
May 15 – Spring Degree Conferral