Instructional space scheduling policy

It is the responsibility of each department chair to ensure compliance. Issues of equitable teaching load may be addressed by department chairs over the long term.

60% rule

Colleges and departments must adhere to the following rules when scheduling classes. These rules are intended to ensure the colleges are scheduling a broad range of course offerings, giving students better timetabling options, and improving space utilization.

The 60% rule applies to on-campus lecture and discussion classes. Percentages are based on number of sections. Lecture and discussion sections taught in an independent study format or courses with one or more sections per faculty member in the department will not be counted toward the 40% of sections offered outside of prime time. Laboratories, special problems, studios, independent study, clinicals, field experience, tutoring sessions, etc. will be excluded from review, provided they are not utilizing centrally scheduled space.

Each department’s undergraduate course offerings, each semester, may include the following:

No more than 60% of total lecture classes offered between the following:

• 10:30 a.m. and 2:20 p.m. – Monday/Wednesday/Friday
• 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. – Tuesday/Thursday

Each department’s undergraduate course offerings each semester must include the following:

At least 3% of total lectures classes offered

• At 8 a.m. on Monday/Wednesday/Friday

Each department’s graduate and undergraduate semester schedule may include the following:

• No more than 60% of its total classes offered on Monday/Wednesday/Friday (day and evening classes)
• No more than 60% of its total classes offered on Tuesday/Thursday (day and evening classes)

40% rule

At least 40% of discussion sections must be offered on Friday afternoons. Friday discussions must align with a standard meeting time.

Vertical course scheduling

(Course fulfilling weekly required contact hours in a single weekly meeting)

Vertically scheduled classes are not allowed before

• 4 p.m. on Monday/Wednesday
• 3 p.m. Tuesday/Thursday

Vertically scheduled classes are not allowed in rooms with occupancy of 80 persons, or more, except:

• After 5:30 p.m. on Monday through Thursday
• After 1 p.m. on Friday

60% rule exceptions

The schedule must include a breakdown of the number of sections offered in, and out, of primetime. Schedules that exceed the 60% limit will be returned to the appropriate dean for reconsideration. If, after reconsideration, a dean wishes to petition for exceptions to the standards, the dean may submit a written request for exceptions to the Provost, or designee. Standard class meeting time blocks must be followed. Exceptions will be extremely limited and justified based on programmatic needs (i.e. cohorts programs with external internship requirements). Requests for exceptions must be submitted to the dean of your college and, if approved, forwarded to the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs.

Underutilized primetime

The noon hours on Monday/Wednesday/Friday continues to be underutilized. An effort should be made to schedule classes during this primetime slot.

Course sections requesting

• 11 a.m.–11:50 a.m. - Monday/Wednesday/Friday
• 1 p.m.–2:15 p.m. - Monday/Wednesday

With no available classroom, will automatically have their course section time changed to

•12 p.m.–12:50 p.m. - Monday/Wednesday/Friday

Scheduling classes in alignment with room size

Course enrollment capacity should be set after estimating realistic demand and then individual sections sizes set with classroom sizes considered. (Previous year’s enrollment can serve as an effective guide for enrollment) Any class, initially scheduled, into a room that doesn’t meet the target fill may be moved to a smaller classroom in order to meet the demand for large classrooms.

Departments are expected to make maximum effort to use departmental instructional space. The use of departmental space must be scheduled in ASTRA.

Scheduling classes in standard meeting patterns

Departments must adhere to standard meeting patterns for all undergraduate and graduate classes scheduled in centrally scheduled space. 1 or 2 credit courses should follow the 4 credit course meeting patterns. Two-credit vertical courses must follow a vertical meeting pattern.

Staying within standard meeting patterns serve two key purpose:

• Allows the university to maximize classroom use, reducing space conflicts
• Gives students maximal registration options, making it easier for students to create blockschedules, schedule needed courses, and graduate within the prescribed timeframe.

Non-standard scheduling has a negative impact on both classroom availability and student options. Non-standard scheduling also creates final exam conflicts for students and faculty. Non-standard scheduling is permitted in departmental space.