Trustees approve 2025–27 undergraduate academic calendar amid faculty concern over shortened independent study term

Sarasota, Fla. — The New College of Florida Board of Trustees approved the undergraduate academic calendars for 2025–26 and 2026–27, despite faculty concerns about shortening the Independent Study Period (ISP).

David Rancourt, the vice president for enrollment management and vice provost, presented the calendars and said they were developed to balance academic requirements, financial aid seat time and contingency days to address possible hurricane disruptions. Rancourt said the calendar was approved by the faculty committee and noted extra fall time to protect seat time and compliance with federal financial-aid rules.

Several trustees and faculty members expressed concern about a proposed reduction in the ISP from prior years. Trustee and faculty member Professor McDonald (Trustee McDonald) asked whether the committee had discussed the faculty evaluation and whether the shortened ISP would allow students to cover the same amount of work. Professor McDonald and others noted that the ISP is critical for independent work and thesis preparation; McDonald recalled the ISP being substantially longer in earlier years and warned of downstream impacts on the college’s distinctive pedagogy.

Trustee Thomas (remarks recorded during discussion) said faculty support for the calendar vote was divided: the faculty vote reported during the meeting was 25–17 with many abstentions. Trustees acknowledged the schedule was not perfect and agreed to continue work over the next 11 months on the ISP structure and credit-hour alignment.

The board approved the calendar in a roll-call vote. Trustees recorded two no votes: Trustee McDonald and Trustee Mikkelsen; the remaining trustees voted yes.

The provost’s office and faculty leaders will continue review of ISP credit assignments and timing before implementation, and the administration said a fuller review would be possible in the year ahead.