January 5, 2009 — Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which falls on Jan. 19, is a holiday for students, staff and faculty at the University of Virginia. But because that day is also the first Monday of the spring semester, it's preferable to make the classes up.

"If Monday courses are not taught before the Martin Luther King holiday, they do not meet for the first two weeks of the semester," said Wynne Stuart, associate provost for academic support and classroom management. "In 2007-08, we also observed the Martin Luther King holiday, but did not replace the Monday classes. This was a problem for those courses."

To address the issue, the University Calendar Committee, composed of faculty, staff and students, decided to manage the start of the 2009 spring semester differently.

Classes that would normally meet on Monday, Jan. 19, will instead meet on Tuesday, Jan. 13. This includes any course meeting on any Monday cycle: Monday-Wednesday-Friday, Monday-Wednesday, Monday only, or courses in any other pattern.

Courses normally meeting on Tuesday will not meet on Tuesday, Jan. 13, to allow Monday classes to meet. Tuesday-only classes will meet for the first time on Jan. 20.

"With this schedule, we recover the class day used for the holiday and the remainder of the semester is on a normal schedule," Stuart said.

The schedule in detail:

* Tuesday, Jan. 13: First day of spring semester. Monday classes meet for the first time.

* Wednesday, Jan. 14:  Classes meet as usual.

* Thursday, Jan. 15: Tuesday-Thursday classes meet for the first time.

* Friday, Jan. 16: Classes meet as usual.

* Monday, Jan. 19: Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Academic holiday. No classes will be held.

* Tuesday, Jan. 20: Tuesday-only courses will meet for the first time.

If you have questions, e-mail Stuart at wynne@virginia.edu.