Sonoma State University

Call for Winter Intersession Courses

Winter Intersession 2026

Scheduling

The Winter Intersession 2026 courses will be offered to matriculated SSU students and non-matriculated students (including students from other colleges/universities and junior college students).

Proposal Process

Intersession Course Proposal Forms (fillable PDF) may be submitted electronically (via email) to Julie Shell at [email protected], and are due by Monday, September 22, 2025. All proposals must be approved by the Department Chair and the appropriate College Dean. Course proposals may be approved by electronic signature or via email, however review and approval processes vary by academic department. Please check with your Department Chair and/or Dean to confirm the approval process for your department. Course information will be available for faculty review in early October. Faculty contracts will be sent out by November 30. For more information, contact Julie Shell at j[email protected].    

Faculty Pay

Faculty can teach up to 5 weighted teaching units during Winter Intersession.

Intersession pay is calculated on a per WTU basis using the modified Special Sessions 2322 Salary Schedule based on enrollment, course units, and faculty rank. In this schedule, compensation reaches a maximum at an enrollment of 40 students.

Intersession paychecks will be issued in mid-February.

125% Rule

The Unit-3 Faculty Collective Bargaining Agreement (Article 36) and the CSU System-Wide Additional Employment Policy (HR 2002-05) limit total employment in the California State University system to a total of 125%. Academic year faculty may teach during intersession but are limited to no more than 5 units in the Winter Intersession across the CSU system. Caution must be taken so that the number of units assigned over the length of the intersession course does not exceed the allowable overage. It is faculty’s responsibility to monitor and not violate the 5 unit/125% rule.

Enrollment Caps and Class Cancellations

Unless otherwise requested, enrollment limits will match those typically offered during the academic year. Exception requests should be noted on the Course Proposal Form.    

If at least 12 students enroll in a course, instructors are expected to teach a class. If fewer than 12 students enroll in a course, the course will not be cancelled by Extended Education unless requested by the faculty member. No classes will be canceled after December 12 to protect the students who have made their plans and enrolled.    

Scheduling Format

January 5-21, 2026: 12 instructional days (Monday - Friday)
No classes Monday, January 19 (MLK Holiday)

Intersession classes run Monday through Friday, and can be on-campus, hybrid or fully-remote. All academic credit-bearing classes must adhere to the SSU credit hour policy. A total of 15 hours of classroom time and/or online instructional content are required for each academic unit for lecture/discussion courses, as well as 30 hours of academic preparation. Lab and activity courses require additional hours.

  • 3-unit classes require 3 hours, 40 minutes daily
  • 4-unit classes require 4 hours, 50 minutes daily

Please direct any questions to Julie Shell at [email protected].

Classrooms and Classroom Technology

If you have a preference, please be sure to request a classroom or building, or indicate which features are important to you for your classroom. This will assist us in choosing a room for you if your first choice classroom is not available.

All campus classrooms are locked rooms. If you do not have a key to your room already, please contact Julie Shell no later than December 12 to initiate a key request form for room access. Even if you are accustomed to a room being open during Fall and Spring, it will be locked during Intersession. 

Requesting a Teaching Assistant or Grader

All requests for TAs, graders, or paid speakers for Intersession 2026 are subject to approval. 

Please contact Julie Shell for more information.

Due to the constraints of the hiring process, we are not able to accommodate late requests to add a TA, ISA, or grader.

Class Requisites

Intersession courses are scheduled with the course prerequisites listed in the University catalog. Changes to prerequisites require faculty governance approval. Please contact Jenn Lillig, Interim AVP of Academic Affairs, Dean of Undergraduate and Graduate Studies, with any questions or for further assistance.

Enrollment and Fees

Fees for all courses offered during Intersession are in addition to the regular fees charged for university courses. Registration begins online in October via MySSU for matriculated students and through the Intersession website for non-matriculated students.

Winter Intersession Course Proposal Deadline

Approved course proposals are due to Julie Shell by Monday, September 22, 2025.

Documents

For more information contact the Intersession Coordinator, Julie Shell at [email protected].