To better enhance the student learning experience, Rush University will move to a common academic calendar in September, bringing all four colleges of the University onto the same academic schedule, in some cases moving from quarters to terms.
With this development, Rush Medical College, College of Nursing, College of Health Sciences and the Graduate College will have the same term start and end dates, the same degree conferral dates and the same registration dates.
“The I CARE [Rush values] spirit and commitment to creating an exceptional, distinctive, and inclusive experience for the Rush student body were inspirational forces that impelled the team to work and push harder to implement the common academic calendar,” says Gayle B. Ward, JD, senior associate provost of educational affairs.
The common academic calendar will benefit students, faculty and staff in a number of ways, including simplified scheduling of rooms and events, easier-to-administer financial aid packages, a more conducive climate for fostering interprofessional education, and streamlined reporting of student data.
“The collaboration between University and college staff has been phenomenal and critical to reshaping how we do business at Rush,” says Brenda L. Weddington, chief enrollment management officer and University registrar.
The conversion to the common academic calendar will be virtually seamless for many students. For others, the change will mean a different way of approaching their academic program. Rush University is encouraging all students to consult with their faculty advisers prior to the calendar conversion to create educational plans that outline the requirements remaining for degree completion.
Students who follow an approved degree plan under the common academic calendar will be assured of no loss of academic progress, no delay in degree completion and no increased costs for degree completion.