Scheduling Update: April 25, 2011

The Office of Classroom Management is pleased to announce that Sarah Kussow has been promoted to Course/Scheduling Manager. Sarah has worked in OCM for the past four years as the Departmental R25 Coordinator. Sarah is looking forward to working with departments and colleges.

Read the rest of this update, featuring news about spring 2011 final exams, an R25 user group meeting, and key dates, or view the scheduling update archive.

Changing from heating to cooling season

Classrooms on the Twin Cities campus may experience
fluctuations in their normal temperature range throughout the year, especially
during seasonal weather transition periods. The Office of Classroom Management
and Facilities Management are committed to providing the best possible teaching
and learning environment for University faculty and students. If you feel the
temperature in your classroom is either too high or low, please contact the
Classroom Support Hotline at 612-625-1086.

The following is a note from Facilities Management regarding
the transition from heating to cooling in campus buildings.

With warmer weather just around the corner, FM has begun
transitioning buildings from heating to cooling season.  The process takes several weeks. 

Unlike at your home, the conversion process
is not as simple as flipping a switch on an air conditioning unit.  We first drain antifreeze from the system.
Next we clean and test both pipes and pumps. Finally cooling towers and coils
are filled with water.  The towers and
coils can't be filled too early because they can crack if night time
temperatures dip below 29 degrees. If a
coil breaks, it must be custom ordered and can leave an area without cooling
for up to six weeks.

Despite our best efforts, some spaces may experience
uncomfortable temperatures for a limited time. Our goal is to minimize this exposure. 

Scheduling Update: April 7, 2011

On Wednesday, April 13, spring 2012 (1123) ECS period 1 closes. Before ECS period 1 closes, please make sure to update your department's course information (e.g., delete, add, change) and update room characteristics.

ECS will be unavailable for spring 2012 scheduling from Thursday, April 14, to Tuesday, May 24, while OCM reviews the Request for Approval of Non-Standard Meeting Time/Day Pattern forms and schedules general purpose classrooms.

Go to Scheduling Resources for more information about the scheduling policy, ECS production calendar information, and scheduling best practices.

Read the rest of this update, featuring a review of the course scheduling budget calculator, or view the scheduling update archive.