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Alternative Days of Learning

2024-25 Academic Catalog Page edits in-progress

During the academic year, classes meet daily according to the daily schedule, and align with the college’s Academic Calendar and credit hour policies, unless there is a scheduled break period or if the college has a recognized alternative day of learning. On each Alternative Day of Learning, students and faculty are expected to participate. Below are the alternative days of learning recognized by the college.

Reading Day - Fall Semester (starting in fall 2025)

Monday of week 8 fall semester is recognized as a Reading Day for the college. On this alternative day of learning, faculty are discouraged from holding formal class sessions, conducting exams, having assignments due, and mandating attendance at review sessions. However, faculty are expected to be accessible to students for academic purposes and colleges/departments could require attendance at or participation in activities such as recitals, internships, clinicals, travel study, etc. Students and faculty are encouraged to use this time to read, study, prepare for upcoming assignments, and engage with others in meaningful, academic ways. 

Symposium Day - Fall Semester learn more here

Once a semester, Augustana devotes a full day to an alternative approach for learning and opens the process to the entire campus community. This multidisciplinary approach to discuss a theme exemplifies the value of liberal learning. Symposium Days include invited speakers, alumni, advising sessions and opportunities to practice the liberal arts and be involved with the community. Fall Symposium Day has a rotating theme connected to Augie Reads. Spring Symposium is Celebration of Learning featuring original research and scholarship by Augustana's students and faculty.

Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Day) - J-Term learn more here

Augustana honors the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. annually with a campus wide celebration that includes an open invitation to the wider Quad Cities Community. Classes will be limited to 90 minutes that day (rather than the usual 3 hours). Classes run from 8:30AM-10:00AM and 2:30PM-4:00PM (whichever of those two blocks falls within the usual schedule for the given course). A keynote address will occur from 10:30AM-12:00 Noon. Attendance at the keynote should be viewed as a requirement for all students, and faculty are encouraged to incorporate the keynote address into their courses.

Celebration of Learning - Spring Semester learn more here

The annual Celebration of Learning showcases work by students, faculty and staff at Augustana. Celebrating the academic excellence of all community members, the day includes poster presentations, interactive sessions and panel presentations. This year's featured presenters include Augustana students, faculty, and alumni as well as keynote and featured speakers that align with the annual theme.  Poster presentations are be held in the Gerber Center Gävle Rooms from 9-10 a.m. and 1-2:15 p.m. Oral presentations are offered in sessions from from 10 a.m.-3:45 p.m. across campus in the Olin Center, Old Main, Hanson Hall, Wallenberg Hall in the Denkmann Memorial Building and at the Augustana Teaching Museum of Art.