Dear colleagues,
As we approach the start of the spring semester, we wish to call your attention to important campus policies and guidelines concerning academic accommodations for religious observance, illness, disability, hardship, athletics, pregnancy, and other situations. We have both ethical and legal obligations to provide accommodations and other supportive measures to our students. Thank you for all you do to support the accommodations needs of our students.
Academic Accommodations Hub
The Academic Accommodations Hub is the student and instructor portal for academic support resources, including accommodations and supportive measures that students may request. The hub provides customized guidance to instructors who receive such requests from students, or campus offices supporting those students. The Supportal website is a useful companion to the Academic Accommodations hub. Supportal is a hub site for supportive resources for the entire campus community, including students, faculty, and staff. We strongly encourage all instructors to provide a link to the Academic Accommodations Hub and to Supportal in their course syllabi.
You can find more detailed guidance on some of the more common requests for flexibility or accommodation on the following webpages:
Technology and Accessibility
Fostering an equitable learning experience for all Berkeley students and instructors by supporting accessible academic technology tools is a high priority. We strongly recommend instructors use Research, Teaching, and Learning’s supported learning tools, which offer the benefits of accessibility, privacy, and security. Using unsupported tools can pose risks, including potential accessibility barriers, data privacy concerns, and lack of technical support, which may compromise both teaching and learning experiences.If you have questions, please contact rtl-general@berkeley.edu
Guidance for Digital Accessibility of Web Content
In 2022, the campus entered into a Consent Decree with the Department of Justice concerning the need to ensure that web content is accessible to persons with disabilities. As part of the agreement, the Digital Accessibility Program has created a short mandatory training on How to Comply with the Web Accessibility Procedure. You can take it now, and it will also be assigned to employees in the UC Learning Center in spring 2026.
Moreresources and educational materials are available on the DAP website. Please email improving-accessibility@berkeley.edu if you have any questions or would like to meet with a digital accessibility specialist.
Guidance on Accessibility of Digital Course ContentIn preparation for the updated Title II ADA requirements that go into effect in April 2026, instructors can access a range of resources to ensure that digital course content in bCourses and other formats meets accessibility standards. Focus on the materials you plan to use in upcoming summer or fall 2026 terms. Visit the Accessibility in Teaching & Learning resource hub for details and support.
Important Semester Dates
See the spring 2026 Academic Calendar, maintained by the Office of the Registrar, for the latest calendar information (students in degree programs that do not align with the standard academic calendar should consult with their department). You can also find a summary of important dates on the UE website. Below are some important dates for the semester:
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Spring Semester Begins: Tuesday, January 13, 2026
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Academic and Administrative Holiday: Monday, January 19, 2026
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Instruction Begins: Tuesday, January 20, 2026
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Academic and Administrative Holiday: Monday, February 16, 2026
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Midpoint Grading Rosters Open for Instructors: Monday, February 23, 2026
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Textbook Affordability Deadline for instructors to submit summer 2026 textbook adoptions to the Cal Student Store: Monday, March 2, 2026
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Deadline for Instructors to Enter Midterm Deficient Grades: Tuesday, March 17, 2026
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Spring Recess: Monday, March 23–Thursday, March 26, 2026
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Academic and Administrative Holiday: Friday, March 27, 2026
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Disability Accommodation Deadline for instructors to submit summer 2026 textbook adoptions to the Cal Student Store: Tuesday, April 7, 2026
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Testing Agreement Deadline for instructors to request DSP proctoring: Friday, April 17, 2026
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Textbook Affordability Deadlinefor instructors to submit fall 2026 textbook adoptions to the Cal Student Store: Wednesday, April 22, 2026
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Formal Classes End: Friday, May 1, 2026
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Reading/Review/Recitation Week: Monday, May 4–Friday, May 8, 2026
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Final Examinations: Monday, May 11–Friday, May 15, 2026
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Spring Semester Ends: Friday, May 15, 2026
Thank you for your continued dedication, creativity, and flexibility as we begin the spring semester.
Sincerely,
Benjamin E. Hermalin, Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost
Oliver M. O’Reilly, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education
Lisa García Bedolla, Vice Provost for Graduate Studies and Dean of the Graduate Division
Mark Stacey, Chair, Berkeley Division of the Academic Senate