The spring semester at TCU will be condensed and include a three-day “on-campus spring refresh” in place of a traditional spring break as the university continues to adjust to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chancellor Victor Boschini announced the calendar revisions in an email to staff and faculty Friday. This is a change from the university’s message on Sept. 10, when Provost Teresa Dahlberg said at the Faculty Senate meeting there would be no breaks next semester.

The semester will begin Jan. 19 and conclude April 30, with final exams set for the week of May 3.

There will be no classes between Tuesday, March 9 and Thursday, March 11 as part of the on-campus refresh.

“While this modified calendar eliminates traditional Spring Break to reduce travel and the potential for spreading COVID-19 and the flu, we remain focused on the benefits of pausing to refresh while keeping our Horned Frog family as safe and healthy as possible,” Boschini wrote.

Student Affairs is planning several programs for students over the three-day period. Classes will occur on Monday and Friday of that week.

Students will also be off on Friday, April 2 for the Good Friday holiday.

Online-only and in-person/dual learning options will be offered to students for the full semester as they were for the fall, Boschini wrote.

“We are prepared to be flexible and continue innovating to ensure academic goals are achieved,” he wrote.

Boschini also announced an online-only winter intersession that will be held between Nov. 30 and Dec. 18 for “undergraduate students who choose to focus on academic progression.”

He told TCU360 that winter intersession courses will cost the same amount as other terms.

Classes will be held every day during the intersession.