Important Information for Faculty Teaching Fall 2025 Courses

Dear Faculty,

Welcome to the Fall 2025 semester! We are excited to greet 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 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

Fall Semester Begins Monday, Aug. 25

• 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. 5

• Friday, Sept. 5, 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, please ensure expectations are clear to students.

Campus Climate and Civil Discourse

• The faculty- and staff-led Civil Discourse Advisory Group has outlined 10 skills for engaging in civil discourse. 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. A variety of events and programs this fall will build on these skills.

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 a student is exhibiting behaviors that indicate distress, needs help accessing basic needs resources, is causing a disturbance, and/or is presenting a danger to oneself or others, 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 response 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

• Aug. 25 – Classes Begin
• Sep. 1 – Labor Day Holiday
• Sep. 5 – Late Registration and Drop/Add End
• Sep. 5 – Deadline Credit/Audit (UG)
• Oct. 20–21 – Fall Break
• Oct. 20 – Mid-Semester Grades Due (UG)
• Nov. 7 – Deadline, prior term I grade removal (UG, G)
• Nov. 7 – Deadline Credit/Audit (G)
• Nov. 7 – Deadline for Class Withdrawal and P/NP (upperclass UG)
• Nov. 10 – Registration for Spring Begins (UG)
• Nov. 27–28 – Thanksgiving Holidays
• Dec. 5 – Deadline for Class Withdrawal and P/NP (first year UG)
• Dec. 5 – Last Day of Class
• Dec. 8 and 12 – Reading Days
• Dec. 9 – Final Exams Begin
• Dec. 17 – Final Exams End
• Dec. 19 – Final Grades Due by 11 a.m.