14 Week

When is the change?

Starting in Fall 2019, Algonquin College will move to a 14-week term that will include a mandatory one-week midterm break. The midterm break will occur during week 8 of each term (Fall, Winter, and Spring). The new term model will consist of 7 teaching weeks, followed by a one-week midterm break, followed by 7 teaching weeks with the final week being Final Assessment Week.

14 Week Table

During the 2019-2020 Academic Year, the midterm breaks will occur during the following weeks:

  • Fall 2019: October 21-25, 2019
  • Winter 2020: February 24-28, 2020
  • Spring 2020: June 22-26, 2020

Most programs will be delivered over the 14 weeks of teaching except for the following:

  • Programs with Academic Achievement Levels currently other than 15 weeks in length. They will be reviewed on a program-by-program basis to determine if changes are appropriate.
  • Apprenticeship programs will continue to be delivered in block delivery patterns as currently directed by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.
  • Full-time Online programming will continue to be delivered over 14 weeks and will not incorporate a study break.

Why are we changing to a 14-week teaching term?

In 2017-18, our learners, through the Algonquin College Students Association identified advocating for a week-long study break in each term as an initiative under its #1 priority of “An Algonquin College community that prioritizes the health, safety, and well-being of its members.” On March 13, 2018, Algonquin College confirmed its plan to move from a 15-week term model to a 14-week term model effective Fall 2019.

Additionally, Algonquin College competes vigorously for students. In Fall 2018, Algonquin College will be one of seven Ontario Colleges that does not schedule a Fall study break. Implementing study break weeks in each term presents the College with an opportunity to highlight its adaptability and its concern for students’ well-being.

The 14-week teaching term will also increase use of our facilities from May to August by adding more academic activity in the Spring term. This will provide the opportunity to better balance academic terms, provide improved student and faculty timetables, and improve the year-round use of our existing facilities. Additionally, it will be possible for more faculty to teach up to 35 weeks, which will help mitigate the additional costs the College faces with the implementation of Ontario’s Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act 2017.

What are the implicated changes?

Most programs will be modified from 15 weeks to 14 weeks in GeneSIS. Course normative hours that are divisible by 15 will be reduced in a term by the numbers of hours delivered in one week. All programs currently with other than 15-week length terms have been identified and manual changes will be made in consultation with Chair/Dean/SVPA.

Hours Per Week Table

How can you make curriculum changes to your course(s)?

Faculty will need to review if the 14-week teaching term will have a substantial impact on their programs during the 2019-2020 Annual Curriculum Review cycle. Two phases of support will be provided by Academic Development to assist departments who making substantial changes to their curriculum.

Phase I: Program Level Analysis

In most cases, faculty will be able to shift or eliminate content to adhere to the new 14-week teaching term. However, some changes to course materials might have an impact on the overall program. For example, faculty may consider shifting content to another course in the program or a new course might be created to address program outcomes. In these situations, all changes should be addressed at a program level since program standards (Vocational Learning Outcomes, General Education Outcomes, and Essential Employability Skills) might be impacted and may result in a revised curriculum program map. Due to the implementation of the 14-week teaching term, programs can request support to create new curriculum maps for 2019-2020 during this ACR cycle.

Phase II: Course Development Support

This Spring, Learning and Teaching Services will be available to provide faculty with assistance in revising their courses to fit the new term length. An updated Course Outline and Course Section Information (CSI) template will be available on the LTS website.