(a) The “college year” begins on the first day of July and ends on the last day of June. The “academic year” means that portion of the college year during which the community college is maintained, which period shall include not less than 175 days of instruction as defined by section 58120. The academic year does not include summer or other intersessions.

(b) Under no circumstances may a district adopt an academic calendar which results in provision of less than 32 weeks of instruction (inclusive of days of final examination) during the primary terms of each academic year. Nor may a district adopt an academic calendar which would result in fewer hours of instruction per unit of credit awarded than permitted pursuant to section 55002.5.