Course Proposal Process for Winter Session
Winter Session 2026 materials were sent to department chairs on July 14, 2025, which includes detailed information on the course proposal process, department history and course planning, contracts, compensation and cancellation. The course proposal form is available as a .pdf. Please contact the Extended Learning Office for a fillable option.
Information below includes the proposal process timeline, session details and class time guidelines.
| Date | Step |
|---|---|
| July 14 | Initial outreach to Department Chairs |
| Sept. 5 | Winter course proposals and Summer intent listing due to ELO |
| Sept. 11 | Summary of course proposals shared with Deans for review and approval |
| Sept. 16 | Dean approvals returned to the Extended Learning Office. |
| Sept. 17-23 | Winter Session course schedule created in Banner Winter Session Preliminary Listing created |
| Sept. 24 | Contracts sent to all participating faculty Winter Session Preliminary Listing and Summer Intent Listing announced |
| Oct. 8 | Signed contracts due back to the Extended Learning Office |
| Oct. 10 | Course schedule available for review and edits |
| Oct. 20 | Edits due and schedule locks. Preferred deadline for any final course proposals. |
Winter Session 2026
| Term | Start Date | End Date | Holidays | Contract Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Session I | Tuesday, Dec. 16 | Tuesday, Jan. 20 | Wednesday, Dec. 24, Thursday, Dec. 25, Wednesday, Dec. 31, Thursday, Jan. 1, Monday, Jan. 19 |
Friday, Dec. 12 - Friday, Jan. 23 |
| Winter Session II | Tuesday, Jan. 6 | Tuesday, Jan. 20 | Monday, Jan. 19 | Friday, Jan. 2 - Friday, Jan. 23 |
Session Details
Instructors teaching during Winter Session I need to be available and engaged throughout the term, including the typical “break” week between the Christmas and New Year holidays.
Classes should fall within one of the sessions outlined above. Classes outside of these dates must adhere to the add/drop timelines and refund schedules for the appropriate term.
On the designated holidays, classes should not be held and assignments should not be due. Campus offices will not be available to support instructors or students on these days.
The standard capacity is 25 students in undergraduate level courses and 20 students in graduate level courses. Lower capacity requests will require justification.
All course proposal forms returned to the Extended Learning Office should be signed by the Instructor and the Department Chair. Electronic signatures are acceptable. Extended Learning will compile all courses for Winter Session to share with the Deans for approval. Please return your department proposals to us no later than Friday, Sept. 5, so that we can share the listing with the Deans the following week for approval. We will not add a course to the schedule without the approval of the Deans.
We will continue to accept course proposals until Oct. 20. After that date, only independent studies, internships, and additional sections with Dean approval will be accepted.
All credit-bearing international experiences are processed through the International Programs Office (studyabroad@cortland.edu). Faculty who plan to take students outside of the United States for an independent study, internship, or study abroad course should contact that office as early as possible to discuss travel policies, student registration or course proposal procedures.
Class Time Guidelines
Standard contact hour regulations apply to in person courses during Winter Session. For example, a 3-credit hour course must include 37.5 clock hours or 2250 minutes of instruction. Those requirements are adjusted for 1, 2, and 4-credit hour courses.
