EMU’s new class schedule has sparked mixed emotions from staff and students around campus. Many feel that it provides valuable new student life and academic opportunities, such as Convocation and the ability to balance half semester classes. On the other hand, it seems that, especially for returners, the altered times have posed difficulties in remembering class times.
When asked, many students admitted that Friday schedule still leads to confusion for times, even five weeks into the semester. Junior Holly Mumaw, a commuter, said, “I almost forget class every Friday… and then I still have to drive here.”
Even the faculty are not immune. Mark Sawin, chair of the History Department, said, “I had to post alarms on my phone to remind me to go to class at the right time… but now that I’ve adjusted I don’t really see any major issues.”
Students’ continued confusion could be due to not all of the departments changing to the new schedule and instead forming a hybrid. Some majors remain mostly unaffected, such as the Psychology and Nursing programs, while others, like the Math department, adapted almost completely.
Sophomore Anisa Leonard said, “I’m in the social work program, and I think a lot of the applied social sciences did not switch over to the new schedule, so I still have my old schedule, but now I also have some classes on the new schedule. It’s frustrating to me.”
Part of the goal of the schedule was to make it possible for professors to teach fewer classes for the same amount of credits and for students to take fewer classes for more credits.
Classes which were condensed into half- semester classes, or two credits, are treated or similarly to intensives. This also allows for students to take less classes for more credits, and hopefully simplifying schedules.
While there have been some timing specifics to get used to, many students and staff see the potential for academics and student life. Sawin said, “The longer [Convocation] times work better than the old system, and I hope they help us establish a culture of uniting around those events to give the campus something in common to discuss and think about each week.”
Owen Byer, department chair of Mathematics, also noted academic advantages from the new schedule. “If a student drops a four credit class, it could work for them to pick something else up half way through [the semester].” is could make it possible for students to remain full time students despite dropping classes at the beginning of the semester. Making for more flexible scheduling.
Leonard has also noted the academic potential, “It allows me to take more classes.”
Despite the confusion over times, the faculty and students seem to be adapting to the new schedule with an overall positive attitude.
