1. Maximizing our workweek and optimizing our space
Make a more flexible scheduling grid that can accommodate all the different units
Make the scheduling of classes a more centralized and more open process: make the unit course schedule graphic available to all so that overlap of essential courses does not occur
Make the schedule align with our strategic and pedagogic goals, not with presumed space utilization rubrics
Make the schedule more student friendly
Make the schedule more faculty friendly
Cluster same-number gen ed classes in predictable ways; offer both daytime and evening sections
Correlate the relationship between fixed schedules (such as basic science courses with labs, which are taught on the same schedule every year) and changeable schedules (such as courses that are not taught every year) and determine which times are blocked out for the most students because of such schedules
Work with Registrar and Room Scheduling to optimize space during “heavy” or “preferred” class times

2. possible ways to create a more flexible teaching schedule
Determine which classes work best as 3-day 50-minute / 3-day lecture+lab / 3-day lecture+breakout and block off time for those
Survey every unit to determine the ideal schedule for each unit and build a grid that can accommodate everyone
Create a schedule that has M/W and T/Th 75-minute blocks
Create a schedule that has 3-hour blocks on Friday: 10:00–12:45 and 1:00–3:45
Create a Saturday schedule: 6-hour blocks for 8-week classes, either 2 sessions or alternating weeks
Create 3-hour blocks on weekday evenings: 3 hours once a week, or 3 hours twice a week for 8 weeks
Ensure that students have adequate time to get to classes: minimum of 15 minutes, but 20 is better
Reduce the number of class blocks for each day to accommodate extra commuting time
Open more food venue options on campus? Food trucks would help congestion at lunch times
Build into the schedule a specific time for Senate, unit, and department meetings

3. advantages to a more flexible schedule
Faculty could teach their usual loads but have more compressed teaching schedules in order to work on research and scholarship
Faculty could accommodate family schedules more easily
Students would have more options for on-campus experiences
Students could accommodate work and family schedules more easily
Space would be more efficiently utilized—fewer dead spots during which buildings are lit, heated/air-conditioned and empty

4. disadvantages to a more flexible schedule
There would be operating costs for security and infrastructure staff if Saturday schedules were implemented
There would be operating costs for Union and other food service venues to be open (more) evenings and Saturdays
Office support staff coverage would be less connected to teaching schedules

5. where we go from here
Committee forming to assess the UMSL N-O-W program; new schedule could be incorporated into this process
Discussion with Registrar, Assoc. Provost for Faculty Affairs, and VC for Facilities about feasibility
Survey all units about preferred schedules
Create sample grids and assess effectiveness through surveying students and faculty
Choose a grid to submit to Provost