function process_semester($fields)
{
// Lookup the semester from the database
list($year, $semester_name) = $this->parse_semester($fields[1]);
$semester = CoursePrefsSemester::findByUnique($year, $semester_name, $fields[0]);
// Create a new semester entry if the semester doesn't exist within the database
if (!$semester) {
$semester = new CoursePrefsSemester($year, $semester_name, $fields[0]);
}
// Set when classes start for the semester if available
if ($fields[2]) {
$semester->setClassStart($this->courseprefs_date_to_stamp($fields[2]));
}
// Set when grades are due for the semester if available
if ($fields[3]) {
$semester->setGradesDue($this->courseprefs_date_to_stamp($fields[3]));
}
try {
$semester->save();
} catch (Exception $e) {
throw new Exception($e->getMessage());
}
}
