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Schedule Template Guidelines

Revised (September, 2017)

The Schedule Template Guidelines are intended to provide departments and deans with consistent guidance in scheduling course sections in order to minimize conflicts, ensure that students are able to register for a full load (15 credits), and increase availability of courses required in the major.  These goals are critical for student success, retention, and timely completion of the degree.  Consistent scheduling is also necessary to allow the College to more efficiently use its classroom resources, including maximizing the use of “Smart” classrooms.

Specifically, departments are to be mindful of “bottleneck” or prime time periods, particularly for courses held between the hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., which create scheduling and space conflicts, limit students' course selection, and make course selection difficult for non-traditional or working students.  The scheduling of course sections also needs to take into account the actual enrollment of the section and room capacity in order to maximize space utilization and enhance students’ overall learning environment.

The following guidelines are applicable for both undergraduate and graduate courses.

Course Scheduling Template

Review the Course Time Scheduling Template by clicking here.

  1. Three credit-hour course sections will meet for 150 minutes and will be scheduled within the existing template. Typically course sections will be scheduled MWF for three 50 minute blocks OR TUTH for two 75 minute blocks.
  1. Three credit-hour course sections may also be scheduled MW or WF or MF for two 75 minute blocks, but are to avoid prime-time scheduling conflicts.In these instances, course sections can be scheduled either from 8-9:15 a.m., 8:30-9:45 a.m.; 2-3:15pm, or 4-5:15 p.m.
  2. Three credit-hour course sections can also be scheduled on weekdays after 4 p.m. or on the weekends and, as such, would not be required to follow the scheduling template
  1. Four credit-hour course sections will meet for a total of 200 minutes, and should be scheduled to minimize the number of timeblocks affected using one of the following configurations:
  1. MW or WF or MF starting at the same time for two 100-minute blocks. To avoid prime-time scheduling conflicts, these courses will be scheduled either from 8-9:40 a.m. or 2-3:40 p.m. or 4-5:40 p.m. (or any time after 4 p.m.).
  2. MWF starting the same time for one 100-minute block and two 50 minute blocks. To avoid prime-time scheduling conflicts these courses will start at 8 a.m., 2 p.m., or 4 p.m. (or any time after 4 p.m.).  For example, a course might meet Monday 2-3:40 p.m. and Wednesday and Friday 2-2:50 p.m.
  3. TUTH starting at the same time for two 100 minute blocks. To avoid prime-time scheduling conflicts, these courses will start either at 8 a.m., 2 p.m., or 4 p.m. (or any time after 4 p.m.). For example, a course might meet TUTH 4-5:40 p.m.
  4. Four days of the week starting at the same time for four 50-minute blocks, starting at 8 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m., or 4 p.m. to minimize scheduling conflicts. For example, a course might meet MTUWF 11-11:50 a.m.
  5. Four credit-hour course sections can also be scheduled on weekdays after 4 p.m. or on the weekends and, as such, would not be required to follow the scheduling template.

Additional Guidelines

  1. When developing course schedules, departments can request up to three classroom choices per course into the CPI; in most cases, actual rooms are assigned by the Registrar.(The limitation of three choices is due to the software used; however, if departments wish to request additional classrooms they can do so using the text boxes provided.)
  2. Departments and deans are to recommend classrooms based on actual course enrollments and the stated capacity of the rooms, and not on historical precedent or convenience of the classroom’s location.This does not apply to classrooms with very specialized purposes (e.g., science laboratories, computer labs, studios).
  3. Any deviations from the course scheduling template must first be approved by the Dean.Regularly occurring exemptions, such as studios, internships, and practica, will also need approval by the Dean. Schedule Template Exemption Forms (PDF) are to be forwarded from the Dean to the Office of the Registrar.
  4. Departments are to avoid scheduling courses during Governance Hour, which is on Thursdays between 4-5 p.m. and Fridays 3-4 p.m. Holding this time open is critical to both faculty and student governance (SGA also meets at this time).Those seeking exceptions to Governance Hour must complete the Faculty Governance Hour Exemption Form (PDF), which is to be approved by the appropriate Chair and Dean.A copy of the completed form is to be sent to the Registrar. (Please note: Because of the importance of keeping Governance Hour clear, departments are highly encouraged not to schedule T/TH course sections that would conflict with this time.)
  1. While approvals should be made only in rare instances when there are no other options to ensure an appropriate schedule for students, instances that may be appropriate for consideration could include studios, required ensemble rehearsals, graduate courses for working professionals (e.g., educators), or student performances.
  1. Science Labs should also be scheduled to avoid Faculty Governance Hour.Therefore, it is recommended that afternoon labs be scheduled between 1-4 p.m.
  2. Departments are strongly encouraged to coordinate across units to minimize overlap of common required courses (e.g., when scheduling courses required for majors with co-requisites in other departments).
  3. When scheduling late afternoon and evening course sections, keep in mind possible conflicts with extra-curricular and co-curricular activities (e.g., labs, ensemble practices, dance/theatre rehearsals, FYSS) as well as studios and practica; these experiences are also important to students’ retention and overall academic success.
  4. At least 20% of the course sections offered by a School or a Department must be outside of Prime Time, defined as beginning before 10 a.m. or at 2 p.m. or later, or taught as a weekend course.
  5. At least 10% of the course sections offered by a School or a Department must include a Friday meeting.
  6. Each Department should review the number of course sections offered in each time slot in order to spread them more evenly across the template; in particular, sections planned during prime times between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. should be scheduled carefully.Individual Instructors are advised that these times should be avoided if they expect to teach in a Projector/Smart classroom or wish to be assigned a particular classroom.
  7. The scheduling of large classrooms should be monitored by the deans to avoid scheduling multiple large classes at the same time.
  8. The Dean will work with chairs/program directors to develop the final course schedule, and has final approval of the schedule for the School.

Note:  The 2017 Schedule Template Guidelines have been developed based on, and are replacing, the following sources: Schedule Template Guidelines mandated by the Provost Office (August 16, 1999); Revised Scheduling Template Guidelines by the Provost Office (September 1, 2011); Template Taskforce Proposals Summary (May 13, 2011); Evening Class Templates (February, 2006).