Class & Classroom Scheduling Policy

Overview

Effective class and classroom scheduling is critical to the academic mission of the University. It enables students to take the classes they need in a timely manner and contributes to on-going cost containment efforts through efficient space utilization and good stewardship of our valuable institutional resources.

This policy has been developed jointly by the Office of the Provost and the Office of the Registrar to ensure that both classes and classrooms are scheduled efficiently to support the needs of students, faculty, and the institution as a whole. All units are strongly encouraged to refer to this policy when planning classes or events that require the use of classrooms.

NOTE: This policy replaces the previous 8 a.m. to 12 noon shared classroom scheduling policy and all other individual scheduling agreements between academic units and the Office of the Registrar.

Policy Highlights

The scheduling policy applies to all units that schedule classes on the Ann Arbor campus and to all general purpose classrooms and auditoriums designated as room type 110 in the University space survey. It includes:

Download Policy

Class and Classroom Scheduling Policy (pdf)

When the Policy Takes Effect

The scheduling policy officially takes effect for the Winter 2013 curriculum planning period. Specific dates for curriculum planning can be found on the Registrar's Office Curriculum Resources page.

Target Goals & Reports

The Provost's Office has established two sets of target goals for the Ann Arbor campus and has made reports available in Business Objects for schools, colleges, and departments to monitor performance.

Scheduling Distribution Goals

  • Goal 1: Up to 35% of classes and events can be scheduled during the hours of 10 - 11 a.m., 11 a.m. - 12 noon, and 1 - 2 p.m.
  • Goal 2: Up to 35% of classes and events can be scheduled during the hours of 12 noon - 1 p.m., 2 - 3 p.m., and 3 - 4 p.m.
  • Goal 3: At least 30% of classes and events should be scheduled before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
  • Goal 4: At least 15% of classes and events should be scheduled on Fridays

NOTES:

  1. Calculation for goals 1, 2, and 3: Hours scheduled in timeframes listed in each goal / total hours scheduled Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  2. Calculation for goal 4: Hours scheduled on Fridays / total hours scheduled Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  3. Lecture, recitation, discussion, and seminar class components taught in any room count towards the distribution calculations, as well as events scheduled in classrooms. Other course components, such as labs and independent studies, are not included. 

Classroom Size Goal (Seat Utilization)

  • Seating utilization target goal: 65% utilization
    Calculation: # of students enrolled in a class / maximum seating capacity of the room

Target Goals Reports

Reports are available in Business Objects for the target goals described above. For information on getting access to target goal reports, visit Classroom Reports.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

For frequently asked questions about the scheduling policy, visit FAQs.

For More Information

 

Last reviewed: 4/18/13