Senate Reference No. 04-12

Question Time

In attempting to schedule classes it has become increasingly difficult to find available classrooms.  The problem is more severe in popular times.  Some units are apparently being allowed to schedule outside standard hours (T 1-2:50; T 5:30-8:15; MW 8-9:15; MW 9-10:15; MW 10:30-11:45, MW 12:00-1:15 [the free hour when no classes are to be scheduled]; and MW 1:30-2:45). 

These examples (and there are multiple instances of courses being taught in these irregular time slots) are taken from the Spring 2005 schedule of classes, but they are appearing in Fall 2005 as well.  This kind of scheduling cuts into classroom availability.  It seems to me there are two options: (1) force all units to use the regular times so maximum utilization of classrooms can occur for all units or (2) let all units use whatever time slots they want.  Since option 2 would be complete chaos, I would like to know why we no longer honor the long tradition of option 1 for all units.

James M. Lutz, Chair

Political Science