CHAPTER FOUR: 4610

ACADEMIC POLICIES AND REGULATIONS

July 2009

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4610

ACADEMIC SCHEDULING

PREAMBLE: This section refers to the process by which classes are scheduled, canceled, dismissed or shortened, and by which furniture and equipment in classrooms is maintained. The original of this section appeared in the 1979 Handbook; subsection A was rewritten in May of 1980; the last sentence of D was added in June of 1988. Section F was added in July of 2001. For further information, contact the Registrar’s Office (208-885-6731). [rev. 7-01]

A. SCHEDULING OF CLASSES.

A-1. Each academic unit annually submits to the registrar a listing of the courses it proposes to offer in the following year, including the names of the instructors to be assigned to and the times and rooms desired for each course and section. The sections of a multisectioned service course are to be distributed over a range of class periods. The registrar is responsible for preparation of the Time Schedule, including the assignment of general classrooms.

A-2. A request for a change in the scheduled time or room for a class must be submitted via the departmental administrator and dean to the registrar for approval. Approved changes are published each semester.

A-3. During the regular semesters, daytime classes begin at 7:30, 8:30, 9:30, 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, and 4:30; on Tuesdays and Thursdays, classes may be scheduled in 75-minute blocks beginning at 8:00, 9:30, 11:00, 12:30, 2:00 and 3:30. [rev. 12/04]

B. CANCELLATION OF CLASSES. [See also D.] As soon as possible after the beginning of each semester or other term, departmental administrators should notify the registrar of all scheduled classes that are not being given; this will permit the reassignment of the room. Unless otherwise directed, each college establishes its policies as to the minimum number of students necessary to offer a course or section of a course.

C. SPACE-UTILIZATION REPORTS. As soon as possible after the beginning of each term, departmental administrators must report to the registrar the actual meeting time and place of each course being given, including those that had been scheduled on a to-be-arranged basis.

D. DISMISSAL AND SHORTENING OF CLASSES. Any general dismissal of classes or shortening of class periods on a university-wide basis, for whatever reason, requires prior approval by the Faculty Senate and the president, except that, in emergencies, classes may be dismissed or shortened by the president, the president’s designee, or the Faculty Senate. No general dismissal or shortening of classes is permitted for presentations by political figures or for other political activities, except in connection with symposia or other events sponsored by official UI units or bodies, e.g., the Borah Foundation Committee, and then only with the advance approvals required above. Dismissal of classes for the Honors Convocation, from 2:30 to 5 p.m. on the Friday of Family Weekend, has continuing approval. [ed. 7-09]

E. CLASSROOM FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT. Information on the capacity of each classroom is maintained by the registrar to aid in the appropriate assignment of classes to rooms on the basis of projected enrollment. For this reason, chairs or other furniture that would affect the rooms’ rated capacities should not be moved from one room to another. Requests for additional chairs should be sent to the registrar so that adjustments may be made, if possible, without adversely affecting other classes. Classroom deficiencies, needed repairs, or equipment defects should be reported to the registrar by the instructor using the room.

F. SCHEDULING OF CLASSROOM SPACE BY STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS.

F-1. Student organizations with interests that are not related to a specific UI curriculum and that are not directly sponsored by an academic department, must first seek a meeting room in the Commons or SUB before contacting the Registrar’s Office for possible classroom space. Classroom space will be reserved only if the Commons or the SUB cannot accommodate the request.

F-2. Student organizations that are academically focused may request one-time scheduling in classrooms regardless if whether space in the Commons or SUB is available. The requirement to first seek space in the Commons or SUB is suspended for these groups. The definition of an ‘academically focused’ student organization includes the following: (a) students in the same curriculum that meet on a regular basis to explore issues and stage events directly related to their major course of study; (b) groups sponsored by an academic department where the curriculum is offered.

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