Semesters are essential organizational units in Art Center Canvas that help structure academic programs and scheduled classes. They include critical details such as timeframes, visibility, and registration periods, ensuring that all related activities are well-defined and accessible. --- ## Semester Fields Below is a breakdown of the fields used in the Semester setup: | **Field** | **Description** | | --------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Description** | A brief narrative about the semester’s purpose or theme. | | **Start Date** | The date when the semester officially begins. | | **End Date** | The date when the semester concludes. | | **Registration Open Date** | The date from which students can begin registering for classes within the semester. | | **Registration Close Date** | The cutoff date after which no new registrations will be accepted. | | **Visible** | A toggle to determine whether the semesters classes are visible on public-facing pages. | | **Season** | The seasonal designation for the semester, such as Spring, Summer, Fall, or Winter. | | **Calendar Year** | The year in which the semester takes place, aligning with the academic calendar. | --- ## Best Practices for Semester Setup 1. **Plan Ahead**: Ensure that semester dates align with institutional schedules and holidays. 2. **Set Clear Registration Periods**: Use the Registration Open and Close Dates to provide ample time for enrollment while avoiding last-minute changes. 3. **Visibility Settings**: Only mark a semester as visible when all related classes and programs are finalized and ready for publication. You can always override this at the class level. 4. **Seasonal Consistency**: Maintain consistent naming conventions for seasons and calendar years to avoid confusion across semesters. By configuring Semesters thoughtfully, you create a clear and organized structure that supports efficient scheduling and improves the student registration experience.