Apr 25, 2024  
Undergraduate Catalog (ARCHIVED) 2020-2021 
    
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Undergraduate Catalog (ARCHIVED) 2020-2021 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Academic Calendar

Fall and spring terms are 16 weeks in length: Fall starts mid to late August and goes through mid December.  Spring starts around early January and goes through mid-May.  Summer sessions vary in length from 4 weeks to 12 weeks, May through August, with classes typically meeting Monday through Friday.

Courses are available on the main campus in Madison, Sioux Falls and distance through the Office of Online Education.

Note:  Dates and events are subject to change.  Changes will be communicated to campus via email, campus newspaper or other means as appropriate.

Fall 2020 Academic Calendar

Aug. 1-14 (Sat-Fri) Early Residence Halls move in by appointment
Aug. 15-18 (Sat-Tue) Residence Halls move in by appointment
Aug. 19 (Wed) Classes begin
Aug. 22 (Sat) Last day to Add/Drop First 8-week course with 100% refund.
Aug. 28 (Fri) CENSUS DAY; Last day to register for any fall class to determine financial aid eligibility; Last day to add a full semester class; Last day to drop a full semester class and receive 100% refund.
Sept. 4 (Fri) Tuition and Fees - Deadline for payment or payment plan to avoid cancellation of registration and late fee assessment.
Sept. 7 (Mon) Labor Day - classes in session
Sept. 22 (Tue) Last day to withdraw from First 8-week course with “WD” grade
Sept. 30 (Wed) Last day to apply for Fall 2020 graduation.
Oct. 6 (Tue) Last day of first half semester classes
Oct. 7 (Wed) Second 8-week classes begin
Oct. 10 (Sat) Last day to add/drop Second 8-week course with full refund.
Oct. 12 (Mon) Native American Day - classes in session
Oct. 14 (Wed) Mid-term deficiency grades due
Oct. 21 (Wed) Last day a student may withdraw from the University (all courses) and be eligible for a partial refund of University charges based on federal regulations and Board of Regents policy.
Oct. 26-Nov 13 (Mon-Fri) Tentative dates for continuing student pre-registration for Spring 2021, Summer 2021 & Fall 2021.
Oct. 30 (Fri) Last day to withdraw from a full semester course or withdraw from the University entirely with no refund of University charges and receive a “WD” grade.
Nov. 10 (Tues) Last day to drop Second 8-week course with “WD” grade
Nov. 11 (Wed) Veterans’ Day holiday observed - classes in session
Nov. 25 No classes - Residence Halls closes
Nov. 26-27 (Thurs-Fri) Thanksgiving holiday - no classes; 
Nov. 30-Dec 1 (Mon-Tue) No classes
Dec. 2-8 (Wed-Tue) Final Examination Period (Dec 2-4; Dec 7-8)
Dec. 8 (Tue) Semester ends
Dec. 11 (Fri) Final grades due


Fall 2020 Final Exam Schedule

December 2-8 (Wednesday,Thursday, Friday, Monday, & Tuesday)

Schedule for Classes Meeting on Monday, Wednesday, Friday Combinations
(MWF, M, W, MW, WF, MTWTh, MTWF, MTWThF, F)
Time class begins Day of Final Date of Final Time of Final
8:00 AM Monday December 7 8:00 - 10:00
9:00 AM Friday December 4 8:00 - 10:00
10:00 AM Monday December 7 10:30 - 12:30
11:00 AM Friday December 4 10:30 - 12:30
12:00 PM Friday December 4 3:30 - 5:30
1:00 PM Monday December 7 1:00 - 3:00
2:00 PM Friday December 4 1:00 - 3:00
3:00 PM Monday December 7 3:30 - 5:30
4:00 PM Wednesday December 2 8:00 - 10:00
Schedule for Classes Meeting on Tuesday and Thursday Combination
(TTh, T, Th)
Time classes begin Day of Final Date of Final Time of Final
8:00 AM Tuesday December 8 8:00 - 10:00
9:30 AM Tuesday December 8 10:30 - 12:30
11:00 AM Thursday December 3 10:30 - 12:30
12:00 AM Tuesday December 8 1:00 - 3:00
1:00 PM Thursday December 3 1:00 - 3:00
2:30 PM Tuesday December 8 3:30 - 5:30
4:00 PM Thursday December 3 3:30 - 5:30
Courses beginning 5:00 pm and later will be held during their regular scheduled times.
 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spring 2021 Academic Calendar

Jan. 9 (Sat) 8:00 a.m. Residence halls open for all students
Jan. 11 (Mon) 8:00 a.m. Classes begin
Jan. 18 (Mon) Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - no classes
Jan. 20 (Wed) CENSUS DAY
Last day to register for any spring class to determine financial aid eligibility
Last day to add a full semester class; Last day to drop a full semester class and receive 100% refund
Jan. 21 (Thurs) Tuition and fees - deadline for payment or payment plan to avoid cancellation of registration and late fee assessment
Feb. 5 (Fri) Last day to apply for Spring 2021 and Summer 2021 graduation
Feb. 15 (Mon) President’s Day - no classes
Mar. 6-14 (Sat-Sun) Spring Break; Residence Halls close at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 5 and reopen 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 14
Mar. 17 (Wed) Mid-term deficient grades due
Mar. 22-April 5 (Mon-Mon) Tentative - Continuing student pre-registration for Summer 2021, Fall 2021 and Spring 2022
Mar. 24 (Wed) Last day a student can withdraw from the university (all courses) and be eligible for a partial refund of university charges based on federal regulations and Board of Regents policy
April 6 (Tue) Last day to withdraw from a full semester class or withdraw from the University entirely with no refund of University charges.
April 2-5
(Fri-Mon)		 Easter Holiday - Please note Easter holiday begins 5:00 p.m. on April 1
April 6 (Tue) Classes resume
May 3-7 (Mon-Fri) Final examination period
May 7 (Fri) Semester ends; Residence Halls closes
May 8 (Sat) Commencement Ceremony-Beacom 9:00 a.m.; Hooding Ceremony 12:30 p.m.; Commencement Ceremony- A&S, BIS, Education 2:30 p.m.
May 12 (Wed) Final grades due

 

Spring 2021 Final Exam Schedule
May 3-7

Schedule for Classes Meeting on Monday, Wednesday and Friday Combinations
(MWF, M, W, MW, WF, MTWTh, MTWF, MTWThF, F)
Time class begins Day of Final Date of Final Time of Final
8:00 A.M. Monday May 3 8:00 - 10:00 A.M.
9:00 A.M. Wednesday May 5 8:00 - 10:00 A.M.
10:00 A.M. Monday May 3 10:30 - 12:30 P.M.
11:00 A.M. Wednesday May 5 10:30 - 12:30 P.M.
12:00 P.M. Friday May 7 8:00 10:00 A.M.
1:00 P.M. Monday May 3 1:00 - 3:00 P.M.
2:00 P.M. Wednesday May 5 1:00 - 3:00 P.M.
3:00 P.M. Monday May 3 3:30 - 5:30 P.M.
4:00 P.M. Wednesday May 5 3:30 - 5:30 P.M.
Schedule for Classes Meeting on Tuesday and Thursday Combinations
(TTh, T, Th)
Time class begins Day of Final Date of Final Time of Final
8:00 A.M. Tuesday May 4 8:00 - 10:00 A.M.
9:30 A.M. Tuesday May 4 10:30 - 12:30 P.M.
11:00 A.M. Thursday May 6 10:30 - 12:30 P.M.
12:00 P.M. Tuesday May 4 1:00 - 3:00 P.M.
1:00 P.M. Thursday May 6 1:00 - 3:00 P.M.
2:30 P.M. Tuesday May 4 3:30 - 5:30 P.M.
4:00 P.M. Thursday May 6 3:30 - 5:30 P.M.
Courses beginning at 5:00 P.M. or later will be held during their regular scheduled time.

Summer 2021 Academic Calendar

May 17 (Mon) Full 12-week and first 6-week sessions begin
May 20 (Thur) Census date for first 6-week session
Last day to add a class or drop a 6-week class with full refund
May 31 (Mon) Memorial Day - no classes
May 24 (Mon) Census date for full 12-week session
Last day to add a class or drop a 12-week class with full refund
June 2 (Wed) Last day to withdraw from all first 6-week session classes and
receive a prorated refund
June 14 (Mon Last day to withdraw with a “W” from first 6-week session - no refund
June 25 (Fri) First 6-week session ends
Last day to withdraw from the university (withdraw from all 12-week courses) and receive a prorated refund
June 28 (Mon) Second 6-week session begins
July 1 (Thur) Census date for second 6-week session
Last day to add a class or drop a class with full refund
July 3-5 (Sat-Mon) Independence Day holiday- no classes
July 14 (Wed) Last day to withdraw with a “W” from full 12-week session - no refund
Last day to withdraw from all second 6-week session classes and receive a prorated refund
July 26 (Mon) Last day to withdraw with a “W” for second 6-week session - no refund
Aug 6 (Fri) Full 12 week and second 6-week sessions end
Aug 20 (Fri) Last day of Summer semester
Note: No student will be required to participate in more than three evaluative activities on any one day of the final exam week.  Permission to reschedule a final evaluative activity should be sought before mid-semester if at all possible.  The student, after consulting with or advisor, should petition the dean responsible for the activity to be changed by completing the “Final Week” form which is available on the DSU portal.  The dean will coordinate and approve the necessary rescheduling.  Any changes or deviations in the schedule for an individual student must have advance approval of the dean in which the college the course is taught.

Note: Dates and events are subject to change.  Changes will be communicated to campus via email, campus newspaper or other means as appropriate.

*If your section dates are not listed below, check your section-specific dates in your course syllabus or in Banner Self-Service Registration>Course Details.

Cenus = Last day to add or drop the course with a full refund
LDW = Last day to drop or withdraw from the course with no refund

  • DSU Full Summer Term = 5/17 - 8/6
    • Census = 5/24
    • LDW = 7/14
  • DSU Summer 1 = 5/17 - 6/25
    • Census = 5/20
    • LDW = 6/14
  • DSU Summer 2 = 6/28 - 8/6
    • Census = 7/1
    • LDW = 7/26
  • SDBOR Full Term = 5/10 - 8/20
    • Census = 5/19
    • LDW = 7/21

Fall 2021 Academic Calendar

Aug. 20 (Fri)

Residence Halls open for first year students
New Student Orientation activities begin
Aug. 21 (Sat) Residence Halls open for all students
Aug. 23 (Mon) Classes begin
Sept. 2 (Thur)

Census Day
Last day to register for any fall classes to determine financial aid eligibility
Last day to add a full semester class
Last day to drop a full semester class and receive 100% refund
Sept. 3 (Fri) Tuition and Fees - Deadline for payment or payment plan to avoid cancellation of registration and late fee assessment.
Sept. 6 (Mon) Labor Day - No classes
Sept. 24 (Fri) Last day to withdraw from first 8-week classes with WD grade
Oct. 1 (Fri) Last day to apply for Fall 2021 graduation
Oct. 11 (Mon) Native American Day - No classes
Oct. 13 (Wed) Last day of first half semester classes
Oct. 14 (Thur) Second 8-week classes begin
Last day to add/drop a second 8-week course with full refund
Oct. 19-Nov. 6 Tentative dates for continuing student pre-registration for spring, summer and fall of 2022
Oct. 21 (Thur) Mid-term deficiency grades due
Oct. 22 (Fri) Last day a student may withdraw from the university (all courses) and be eligible for a partial refund of university charges based on federal regulations and Board of Regents policy
Nov. 5 (Fri) Last day to withdraw from a full semester course or withdraw from the university entirely with no refund of university charges
Nov. 11 (Thur) Veterans Day holiday observed - No classes
Nov. 24 (Wed) No classes
Nov. 25-26 (Thur-Fri) Thanksgiving holiday
Dec. 9-15 (Thur-Wed) Final Examination period
Dec. 11 (Sat) Commencement events
Dec. 15 (Wed) Semester ends
Dec. 20 (Mon) Final grades due by midnight