Madison College students can look forward to shorter semesters and later start dates, as of the fall 2014 semester, due to changes made to the academic calendar. Classes will begin after Labor Day going forward, which allows Madison College to align with Wisconsin’s public schools, as well as the University system, and Wisconsin Legislative Statute 118.045. Spring courses will begin after Dr. Martin Luther King Day, as well.

“We are cutting back one week and we’re also in line with UW,” said Dr. Jack Daniels III, Madison College President.

While institutions of higher education aren’t mandated tostart after Sept. 1, the University system has already implemented such changes to their academic calendar, and as such, Madison College elected to do the same.

Provost Terry Webb believes that this will instead be a seamless and more convenient schedule for students.

“So many students just assume that’s when we start anyway and they miss a week or two,” he said.

Additionally, Webb said the process of receiving financial aid will be easier with the changes.

“Planned blocks make it easier for students to receive financial aid because it allows financial aid to automate and issue approval faster,” he said.

Session blocks will allow financial aid access for six, eight and 16-week courses. The later start also accommodates International Education and financial aid for those courses.

The new calendar is available to view and download online on the college’s website. The calendar includes information such as days with no classes in session, term dates and important academic deadlines, such as refund and grade-submission deadlines.

There will be a three-week interim session for the end of the fall semester this year and another during the summer of 2015. Those summer courses will start on June 22, a week later than usual. Additionally, a two-week interim session follows the spring semester.