Opening of the Academic Year 2023-2024

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The academic year is marked by the 'Iron Swords' war, a defensive war that Israel entered following the heinous massacre committed by Hamas on October 7, 2023.

At this point in time, we are preparing for the opening of the academic year 2023-2024 on December 24, 2023, or shortly thereafter (this does not apply to international programs that are already in session).

We will not forget the victims; their memory will be kept in our hearts forever, and we hope for the swift return of all those abducted to their homes and families.

We warmly embrace members of the campus community, academic and administrative staff, and students who have been recruited for reserve duty, some of whom are still actively serving as these lines are being written.

We seek to update you on the curriculum for the academic year 2023-2024 and adjustments for students.

Academic Year Calendar 2023-2024

Calendar structure includes shortened semesters, adjusting the material covered to the shorted duration of the semester, and a more spacious exam period (again, excepting international programs already in session):

First Semester (11 weeks of studies): December 24, 2023, to March 8, 2024.

First Semester Exam Period (7 weeks): March 10, 2024, to May 8, 2024.

Second Semester (11 weeks): May 9, 2024, to July 31, 2024.

Second Semester Exam Period / Summer Semester: August 1, 2024, and onwards.

Opening of Academic Year 2024-2025: November 3, 2024.

Summer Semester – Summer semester programs will be determined by each faculty at their discretion and according to the relevant academic plans.

If the opening of the academic year is postponed beyond December 24, 2023, the academic calendar will be adjusted accordingly (for example, if it's on December 31, 2023, the calendar will be shifted one week ahead), and you will receive advance notice of two weeks.

The university, through its various units, will offer academic adjustments and support systems for students affected by the events and those serving in the reserves. These systems are designed to enable successful completion of the academic year even in cases of significant class absence. This letter specifies the university plan, which will be accompanied by the individual plans of the various units.  The units will provide details as to the support framework in each, including ways to make up missed classes, study assistance, and more. The Dean for Student Success is attentive to your needs and is available for requests for financial assistance, emotional support, etc.

It should be noted that in coordination with the faculty unions, all lessons and tutorials on campus will be recorded and made available, except for special cases where suitable alternative solutions will be provided.

Academic adjustments

Due to the events of the war and the widespread enlistment in the reserves, we are required to make certain academic adjustments, which are detailed below. The adjustments apply to three groups of students:

1. Students who served in the reserves for at least 21 days since October 7, with at least 7 days of service after the opening of the academic year 2023-2024 (hereinafter referred to as Group 1).

2. Students who, due to the war, served in the reserves for at least 21 days and served less than 7 days during the academic year 2023-2024 or were released before the start of the academic year. This group also includes students who are parents of children under the age of 12 and have a spouse in Group 1 (hereinafter referred to as Group 2).

3. All other students (hereinafter referred to as Group 3).

Students who in their close circles are casualties of the events of the October 7 massacre or of the fighting during the 'Iron Swords' war, those injured, displaced from their homes, and others with special circumstances, will be assigned to one of the above three groups by representatives of the Dean for Student Success.

Individuals serving in regular and permanent duties in the IDF and security forces who were recruited for special service during the events of the period and seek academic adjustments, should contact the faculties through the student secretariats.

General Guidelines: The following document is an addition to what is stated in general student regulations (adjustments for students serving in the reserves) and does not diminish or detract from existing regulations.

Academic Adjustments – Group 1:

BA Studies

Exemptions:

1. Students are eligible to receive exemptions for elective courses up to a total of 6 credit hours during the course of their degree.

2. Alternative adjustments for study programs without elective courses will be presented within the framework of each faculty.

3. Note that the implementation of the exemption does not affect the student's right to an additional exemption of up to 2 credit hours in the following academic year or in previous years (based on service in military reserves or according to the law for the encouraging of student involvement in social and community activities). The maximum exemption outlined in clause 1 is the maximum that can be received based on service in military reserves and any other activity during the academic year 2023-2024.

Exams and Assessments:

1. Students will be eligible to choose courses totaling up to 10 credit hours taught in the first semester of the academic year 2023-2024, in which they can convert a numerical grade to a binary (pass/fail) grade, i.e., "participated and fulfilled obligations," provided that they meet the requirements for passing the course. In cases where there are requirements for transferring from program to program, it will be possible to ignore the numerical grade of one course only.

2. Students will be eligible to take exams in two out of three available exam dates: “Mo’ed Alef,” “Mo’ed Bet” and “special Mo’ed”. The higher grade of the two will count.

3. Candidacy for Dean or Rector excellence in studies will be possible when the number of credit hours converted to binary (pass/fail) grades does not exceed 25% of the total study hours completed in the semester.

MA and Postgraduate Studies:

Exemptions:

1. Students will be eligible for exemption from up to one elective course with up to a total of 3 credit hours in the course of their degree.

2. Exams and Assessments – Students will be eligible to choose elective courses totaling up to 6 credit hours taught in the first semester of the academic year 2023-2024, in which they can convert a numerical grade to a binary (pass/fail) grade, i.e., "participated and fulfilled obligations," provided they meet the course’s requirements of passing. In cases where meeting requirements of transferring from one program to another is required, it will be possible to ignore the numerical grade of one course only.

Academic Adjustments – Group 2:

BA Studies

Exemptions:

1. Students will be eligible to receive exemptions from elective courses up to a total of 3 credit hours during their degree.

2. Alternative adjustments for study programs without elective courses will be presented within the framework of each faculty.

3. Note that the implementation of the exemption does not affect the student's right to an additional exemption of up to 2 credit hours in the following academic year or in previous years (based on service in military reserves or according to the law for the encouraging of student involvement in social and community activities). The maximum exemption outlined in clause 1 is the maximum that can be received based on service in the military reserves and any other activity during the academic year 2023-2024.

Exams and Assessments:

1. Students will be eligible to choose courses totaling up to 6 credit hours taught in the first semester of the academic year 2023-2024, in which they can convert a numerical grade to a binary (pass/fail) grade, i.e., "participated and fulfilled obligations," provided that they meet the requirements for passing the course. In cases where there are requirements for transferring from program to program, it will be possible to ignore the numerical grade of one course only.

2. Students will be eligible to take exams in two out of three available exam dates: “Mo’ed Alef,” “Mo’ed Bet” and “special Mo’ed”. The higher grade of the two will count.

3. Candidacy for Dean or Rector excellence in studies will be possible when the number of credit hours converted to binary (pass/fail) grades does not exceed 25% of the total study hours completed in the semester.

MA and Postgraduate Studies:

Exemptions:

1. Exams and Assessments – Students will be eligible to choose elective courses totaling up to 6 credit hours taught in the first semester of the academic year 2023-2024, in which they can convert a numerical grade to a binary (pass/fail) grade, i.e., "participated and fulfilled obligations," provided they meet the course’s requirements of passing. In cases where meeting requirements of transferring from one program to another is required, it will be possible to ignore the numerical grade of one course only.

General Notes:

In the case of dual major (“du khugi”) programs, all adjustments apply to both departments together.

Due to the postponement of the academic year's opening, the submission of papers for courses completed during the 2022-2023 academic year (including seminar papers and theses) will be allowed until January 31, 2024, without consequences in terms of tuition.

Students studying in programs that commenced before the general opening of the academic year for all students (such as international programs and clinical studies) will receive individual responses from the respective units. Each faculty/program will update these students as to the specific adjustments made, while subscribing to the general principles detailed here.

We maintain continuous communication with the student union and wish you much success and good health.

Together, we will face and overcome every challenge and difficulty. Hoping for quieter and brighter days, the release of all soldiers on reserve, and the return of the abducted to their homes and families.

Looking forward to seeing you on campus.

Prof. Mark Shtaif, Rector

Prof. Eyal Zisser, Vice Rector