Classes at the University of Michigan will begin before Labor Day for the 2020-21 academic year.

The academic year, approved by the Board of Regents during its meeting Thursday, will start Aug. 31 and end with Spring Commencement May 2.

The calendar was developed following the university’s well-established academic calendar guidelines. The fall term has 68 days and will end Dec. 21. The winter term has 69 days and will start Jan. 6.

A pre-Labor Day start allows for a one-week break between the end of the summer term and the start of the fall term. It also provides two full weeks between fall and winter.

Fall break will remain at the mid-semester mark and runs from Oct. 19-20, and there will be no classes on the day before Thanksgiving, Nov. 25.

Spring break will begin Feb. 27 with classes resuming March 8.

University officials have not yet determined the start dates for the 2021-22 academic year.