Teaching facilities are a finite resource as you may know, the goal will be to maximize room and seat utilization as well as apply scheduling policies in a consistent and equitable manner. These objectives and classroom utilization expectations apply to all academic departments and classroom space.

Classroom scheduling is a dynamic process requiring re-evaluation of class size, equipment specifications, and pedagogical changes each term. The assignment of a specific room one semester does not automatically guarantee a continuing assignment of that same space in future semesters even if the room was used efficiently. 

**Please, decrease the maximum size of a course section if the course historically has had lower enrollment numbers; this one change will allow us to be more efficient in resource allocation**

1. A two hour Unscheduled Time is designated from 4:00 pm-6:00 pm on Tuesdays and Fridays. Absolutely no classes below the 6000-level are to be scheduled during these days / times without prior approval from the Dean of Undergraduate Education.

During this time, no required activities may be scheduled. This includes classes, labs, or make-up exams. This restriction does not apply to courses with a 6000 level designation. The intent of this Unscheduled Time is to provide a designated free time on campus that facilitates a number of activities related to academics and campus community. Exceptions to the scheduling patterns can be requested to accommodate special restrictions (e.g. available studio time).

2. The scheduling of courses will be restricted to the following patterns:

Start times are restricted to:

• 8, 10:00, 12:00, 2:00, 4:00, 6:00 on MR, MWR

• 8, 10:00, 12:00, 2:00, 6:00 on TF, TWF

• 8:30 am for 80 minutes classes only.

• Wednesday becomes available for single session meetings such as lab classes.
• Classes wishing to meet twice in a single day should use a Wednesday AM and a Wednesday PM session with an empty period between the two meetings.
• Deviation from the patterns or start times must be approved by the Dean of Undergraduate Education.

3. Exceptions to the scheduling patterns can be requested to accommodate special restrictions (e.g. available studio time). Each exception request must be submitted to the Registrar and Dean of Undergraduate Education to be reviewed by the Scheduling Committee before approval.

4. Department schedulers will be required to submit class hour schedules that evenly distribute classes between the standard patterns. 

Classes meeting twice a week in a department should be evenly divided between M-R and T-F sessions. 

Classes meeting 3 times a week should be evenly divided between M-W-R and T-W-F sessions. This restriction does not apply to multi-section classes where all the section of a common class are allowed to meet on the same weekly schedule. Schedulers are also responsible for making sure that a balanced schedule is created to distribute courses even throughout the day and week. 

*If no courses are scheduled in zone 5 then it can be added to either zone 1 or zone 4.

5. No classes can be scheduled for longer than 4 hours for a single meeting without prior approval from the Registrar and Dean of Undergraduate Education. It is expected that some classes, (such as labs and design studios) will readily receive approval*. 

*If scheduled for 4 hours, a 15 minute break must be given after hour 2.

Criteria for Scheduling Rooms:

1)  Lower level courses have first priority

2)  Best fit for enrollment projection for a specific class

3)  The department with the balanced course load has priority 

4)  Credit bearing courses will take precedence over all non-credit bearing courses or course components.

5)  Non-academic events, breakout sessions, ad hoc requests etc. will be scheduled after all academic classes have been scheduled and after the first day of class of the semester.

6)  Special accommodations or faculty teaching back to back – Please know we will do everything we can to meet these accommodations, but space is limited.  Please be sure highlight special requests.

7)  The Registrars Office works directly with the Director of Disability Services regarding special building / room accommodations for our students who may have access challenges.

8)  Departments must submit a list of courses that have been scheduled in school managed rooms, so they can be taken off the “need to be scheduled” course list.

9)  Combined course information must be provided at least one month before beginning of classes.

10) Courses with no enrollment capacity defined, student enrollment, or no day / time info listed, will NOT be assigned a room and may be cancelled by the Registrar in advance.

11) Room capacity is determined by Facility Services in accordance with Fire code and best use of the room. Seating will not be increased beyond the approved capacity of the classroom.

12) Furniture and equipment such as whiteboards, projectors, chairs, and tables must not be moved from a room without approval of the Registrar’s Office.  

13) If a room does not contain adequate facilities to meet the scheduled maximum enrollment or equipment needed, the instructor should contact the department scheduler to initiate the process of room reassignment.

14) Facilities Services is responsible for routine maintenance of classrooms.(fixx@rpi.edu)

15) Submit all audio, visual, and related requests for classroom activities, conferences, and other events to Multi Media Services (MMS). Request forms can be found at https://info.rpi.edu/mms/request-forms