Academic Calendar 2023-2024
Bowdoin's 222nd Academic Year
PDF versions available for 2023-2024, 2024-2025 and 2025-2026
Bowdoin's policies surrounding religious holidays and college holidays are below
Fall 2023 |
|
| August 20-21, Sun.–Mon. | New international student orientation |
| August 22, Tues. | New student arrival day |
| August 23-26, Wed.–Sat. | Orientation trips for new students |
| August 26-29, Sat.–Tues. | Orientation for new students |
| August 27, Sun. | College housing ready for occupancy for upperclass students, noon |
| August 28, Mon. | New student advising and course registration |
| August 29, Tues. | Opening of the College—Convocation, 3:30 p.m. |
| August 30, Wed. | Fall semester classes begin, 8:00 a.m. |
| Sept. 7-9, Thurs.-Sat. | Explore Bowdoin I |
| Sept. 21-23, Thurs.–Sat. | Alumni Council, Alumni Fund Directors, and BRAVO National Advisory Board meetings |
| October 6, Fri. | Fall vacation begins after last class |
| October 11, Wed. | Fall vacation ends, 8:00 a.m. |
| October 12-14, Thurs.-Sat. | Meetings of the Board of Trustees |
| October 14, Sat. | Inauguration of Bowdoin's 16th President |
| October 13-15, Fri.-Sun. | Homecoming Weekend |
| October 19-21, Thurs.–Sat. | Explore Bowdoin II |
| October 27, Fri. | Sarah and James Bowdoin Day Ceremony |
| October 27-29, Fri.–Sun. | Family Weekend |
| November 22, Wed. | Thanksgiving vacation begins, 8:00 a.m. |
| November 27, Mon. | Thanksgiving vacation ends, 8:00 a.m. |
| December 8, Fri. | Last day of classes |
| December 9-12, Sat.–Tues. | Reading period |
| December 13-18, Wed.–Mon. | Fall semester examinations |
| December 19, Tues. | College housing closes for winter break, noon |
| December 22 - January 7 | College holidays, most offices closed |
Spring 2024 |
|
| January 16, Tues. | College housing available for CXD's Sophomore Bootcamp, 8:00 a.m. |
| January 17-19, Wed.-Fri. | Sophomore Bootcamp, Career Exploration and Development |
| January 20, Sat. | College housing available for occupancy, 8:30 a.m. |
| January 22, Mon. | Spring semester classes begin, 8:00 a.m. |
| February 8-10, Thurs.–Sat. | Meetings of the Board of Trustees |
| March 8, Fri. | Spring vacation begins after last class |
| March 9, Sat. | College housing closes for spring vacation, noon |
| March 23, Sat. | College housing available for occupancy, 8:30 a.m. |
| March 25, Mon. | Spring vacation ends, 8:00 a.m. |
| April 4-6, Thurs.–Sat. | Alumni Council, Alumni Fund Directors, and BRAVO National Advisory Board meetings |
| April 18-20, Thurs.–Sat. | Bearings in Brunswick for Admitted Students |
| May 3, Fri. | Honors Day |
| May 8, Wed. | Last day of classes |
| May 9-11, Thurs.–Sat. | Meetings of the Board of Trustees |
| May 9-12, Thurs.–Sun. | Reading period |
| May 13-18, Mon.–Sat. | Spring semester examinations |
| May 19, Sun. | College housing closes for nongraduating students, noon |
| May 24, Fri. | Baccalaureate |
| May 25, Sat. | The 219th Commencement Exercises |
| May 25, Sat. | College housing closes for graduating students, 6:00 p.m. |
| May 30-June 2, Thurs.–Sun. | Reunion Weekend |
| June 10-14, Mon.-Fri. | Virtual Pre-Orientation for Students Admitted for Fall 2024 |
Religious Holidays and Observances: in recognition of Bowdoin’s commitment to a diverse and inclusive student body and the variety of religions observed and practiced by our students, faculty are encouraged to avoid conflicts between academic coursework and major religious holidays. The Rachel Lord Center for Religious and Spiritual Life maintains a calendar of major religious observances of the officially recognized religious groups at Bowdoin. In addition, the multifaith calendar from the Harvard Divinity School is a valuable resource regarding many other religious observances that may be of significance to members of the Bowdoin community. Students or faculty who have any questions regarding how best to balance the academic calendar alongside religious observances are encouraged to consult with the Director of Religious and Spiritual Life.
College Holidays and Observances: Human Resources maintains the calendar of College holidays and special days off and can provide guidance on the interpretation and recording of work around these events. HR encourages staff, students, and faculty to reference the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's calendar of federal holidays as the official source for those dates and observances.