Indiana University Bloomington is adding additional breaks to its academic calendar but is also starting classes a week earlier than previous years.
The changes include a three-day fall break and an expanded week-long Thanksgiving break.
University officials say the new calendar increases the amount of instructional time during the fall semester by moving the start date from August 29 to August 20 in 2012.
"The new fall calendar will address several problems simultaneously," Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs Thomas Gieryn said in a statement released Tuesday. "The longer recess at Thanksgiving will make it easier for students to get home for the holidays, and the fall break provides a breather during the long run from August through late November."
The Bloomington Faculty Council approved the changes to the calendar in 2010, but they will be implemented for the first time during the upcoming school year.