Scheduling Update: Scheduling policy basics

Class scheduling in ECS is in full swing for fall 2013 and spring 2014. Remember to ensure your classes are evenly distributed throughout the day and week.

If you would like a refresher on the class scheduling policy, refer to the class scheduling policy summary and FAQ. The following information might also be helpful:

• The policy was developed using the principle of the fair use of resources. It aims to:
• reduce classroom demand for certain days and times
• increase scheduling flexibility for departments
• ensure reasonable class access for students
• There is no requirement to schedule classes at a particular time; it is required that classes are evenly distributed throughout the day and week.
• The Class Scheduling Distribution Summary illustrates the class demand of a department or college.

Scheduling Update: Spring course offerings

There are large number of classes in the spring 2013 (1133) class schedule that have a room assignment with no students currently enrolled. If you do not plan to offer a class, please cancel the class in ECS. Changing the enrollment capacity to zero and checking the "no print" box in ECS will not release the classroom assignment. You must cancel the course. Additionally, let ocmsched@umn.edu know that you do not plan to offer the class.

Scheduling Update: ECS period 3 now open for summer 2013 (1135)

Room assignments for summer 2013 (1135) are now available on the Class Schedule. You have access to make updates to course information (cancel, change, or add). Please note: changes made to meeting times, enrollment capacities, and/or requested room capacities will result in the loss of the classroom assignment. As you make additions to the summer schedule, please review the summer scheduling guidelines.

Classroom Technical Services busy during winter break

Classroom Technical Services will be busy over winter break! Several classrooms are scheduled to undergo lifecycle renewal, projector or other equipment replacement, and technology enhancement. Watch for more information on the OCM Projects page as the work is started and completed. The page has recently been updated with the projected 2013 lifecycle renewal plan. If you have any questions, please contact OCM at classrm@umn.edu.

Tips for communicating via Service Now

To follow up on the change in communication with OCM, we want to share some tips when communicating via the Service Now ticketing system:

• You can expect an auto-reply generated by the system when you email a message to ocmhelp@umn.edu or ocmsoftwarehelp@umn.edu.
• We will share any updates via email, and, when resolved, you will receive another auto-generated email from the system.
• After a ticket is resolved, please do not reply to the auto-generated email unless you feel the issue is still not resolved and you need further assistance. While we appreciate your feedback and appreciation, replying just to say "thanks" will unnecessarily reopen the ticket.

If you have any questions, please email classrm@umn.edu or call the Hotline at 5-1086.

Please respond to survey invitations

On December 5, survey invitations were sent to faculty and instructors who taught in a general purpose classroom fall semester. OCM encourages those who received the survey invitation to complete it by December 20. The survey provides OCM with valuable input on the needs, expectations, and experiences of those who teach in these classrooms. For more information, contact OCM at classrm@umn.edu.

Study space Q&A: Will study spaces be available after finals and during winter break?

Q: Will study spaces be available after finals and during winter break?
A: Yes! Study spaces and classrooms will be accessible regular hours during finals and winter break. Some classrooms will be in use for events or construction work, so please check the general purpose schedule viewer to make sure a particular classroom will be open. More information about study space and classroom hours is available here.

Scheduling Update: Review your department's fall 2012 final exams

The fall 2012 final exam schedule for general purpose classrooms is now available.

Be sure to look through department courses for accuracy. To review final exams, click on the college, followed by subject and course; then click on the little plus sign in the box next to "Meetings On or After Today" to review the final exam time and location.

Please forward room locations to instructors to ensure they know where their final exam will take place.

Questions about final exam policy?

• Fall 2012 final exam regulations
• Fall 2012 final exam times
• Fall 2012 common exam times
• University final examination policy

Dates:

• December 14-19, 2012 - Final exams for fall 2012 (1129)
• December 19, 2012 - ECS period 3 opens for summer 2013 (1135)
• February 21, 2013 - ECS period 2 opens for fall 2013 (1139)
• March 27, 2013- ECS period 3 opens for fall 2013 (1139)
• March 28, 2013 - Course Guide information due for summer (1135) and fall (1135)

OCM Support communication transition

On Nov. 19, OCM transitioned to a new service request system called ServiceNow. Sending an email to ocmhelp@umn.edu will now auto-generate a service ticket.

If you have an email announcement or general communication, please use classrm@umn.edu, or address it to specific individuals within OCM for a faster response. Scheduling inquiries may still be directed to ocmsched@umn.edu or ocmevent@umn.edu and will not auto-generate a ticket. The ocmhelp@umn.edu address should still be used to report a problem in an OCM supported classroom or study space.

The quickest and most efficient way to communicate urgent issues affecting classrooms is to call the Classroom Support Hotline at 625-1086 between 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Technology room checks

Classroom Technical Services (CTS) technicians are completing technology room checks during late fall semester. This biannual maintenance provides a classroom technology check-up, catching problems before they become disruptive to classroom users. Items related to the programming, hardware, and technology environment are all given a thorough investigation during the check.

Save projector lamp life

Quick Tip: Save projector lamp life by turning off the system at the end of your class or event. LCD projector bulbs are changed when they reach a predetermined threshold of use. This prevents class disruption by avoiding an emergency lamp change. As the LCD bulbs are very expensive, the system will automatically turn off after four hours of inactivity, but you can sustain the life of the lamps by at least four hours, if you simply turn the system off when you leave the room.

Mini DisplayPort Adapters added to GPC over winter break

Mini DisplayPort adapters will be installed and available in general purpose classrooms by the start of spring semester 2013. In rooms where there is an HDMI input cable, only Mini DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapters will be provided. All other rooms will be installed with a Mini DisplayPort-to-VGA connection adapter. The adapters will be tethered to the laptop cable at the instructor station which should provide adequate assurance that they remain available in each classroom. Please note that only Mini DisplayPort adapters are being provided. If a device requires a different adapter, classroom users will need to provide their appropriate adapter.

Classroom Support Hotline to have reduced availability on Wednesday, Dec. 12 & Thursday, Dec. 20

The Classroom Support Hotline staff will be attending staff events Wednesday, December 12 from 8 a.m.-12 noon and Thursday, December 20 from 1:30-4:30 p.m.

Messages left on the Hotline voicemail will be monitored (and responded to as necessary) while the Hotline staff are away.

The Classroom Support Hotline operates at 612-625-1086.

Lind Hall Technology Lifecycle Renewal

Lind Hall general purpose classrooms recently completed their technology updates. Features changed by adding new widescreen projectors and HDMI inputs, as well as the removal of VCRs in selected classrooms. For an updated list of room features, check the OCM website. You can learn more about the VCR/DVD retirement plan.

Study space on the go

Get your study on--on the go! You can now find the nearest student study space (GPS Waypoint) on your mobile phone. Check it out! The updated study space page now features space layouts, new photos, and introduces the latest designated space in Skok Hall.

Scheduling Update: Best practice reminders for entering grades

As the grade entry period for fall terms draws near, please review all of your fall 2012 courses to ensure the correct instructor is assigned to each course requiring grades.

Here are a few grade entry tips to keep in mind and share with instructors:

• Mobile devices, such as smart phones and tablets, will not work with PeopleSoft self-service pages for grades.
• The browser (and version of browser) used by the grade enterer can also have an impact on grades entry. Mac users typically have the best success with Safari (note: Safari on an iPad will not work for grades entry). PC users typically have the best success with Firefox.
• Due to the recent PeopleSoft Tools 8.5.2 upgrade, anyone that works with grades, including enterers and approvers, should clear their browser cache prior to the grades entry period in order to ensure they have the most recent version of the grades pages.

Grades can be entered online through the University Self-Service grades pages. Instructors should verify that they have access to all of their assigned grade rosters before the last day of instruction by using the "My Classes" report in UM Reports.

Class rosters and grade entry for courses owned by the School of Public Health are available only through the School of Public Health grading system.

If you know of someone encountering issues with grades entry, please have them call the SR Training Team at (612) 625-2803 or contact them via email.

Scheduling Update: R25 help desk support changes

Effective immediately, the R25 help desk email has been changed toocmsoftwarehelp@umn.edu. Please update your contact list and remove the formeremail.

If you email R25-Support@umn.edu, we will not receive your email. You will also not receive a bounce back notification. Be careful to address all help desk requests correctly. 

This R25 help desk change coincides with a switch of the internal R25 helpdesk ticketing system software from RT to ServiceNow. The process used to respond to requests remains the same.

For scheduling service and support, please use the following email addresses:
Course scheduling help: ocmsched@umn.edu
Event scheduling help: ocmevent@umn.edu
R25 software help: ocmsoftwarehelp@umn.edu 

Scheduling Update: Room assignments complete for spring 2013 (1133)

Room assignments for spring 2013 are available on the One Stop Class Schedule. Please review assignments for your department to ensure all classes requiring a general purpose classroom have been assigned a room. Please note: prior to the start of the term, room assignments are subject to change. While this usually only affects a small number of classes, encourage instructors in your department to verify their classroom assignment before the first class meeting.

Scheduling Update: Review fall 2012 final exams for your department

The fall 2012 final exam schedule for general purpose classrooms is now available for review in the classroom schedule viewer event catalog.

Be sure to look through your department's courses for accuracy. To review final exams, click on the college, followed by subject and the course, then click on the little cross in the box next to "Meetings On or After Today" to review the final exam time and location.

Please forward room locations to instructors to ensure they know where their final exam will take place.

Questions about final exam policy?

• Fall 2012 final exam regulations
• Fall 2012 final exam times
• Fall 2012 common exam times
• University final examination policy

Scheduling Update: Summer 2013 (1135) ECS period 1 deadline soon

The first step to schedule for summer session is reviewing the summer scheduling guidelines. Summer 2013 ECS period 1 closes at end of day November 26, 2012. Please make sure to make all of your summer updates by this time. ECS will be unavailable for summer 2013 scheduling until Wednesday, December 19 while OCM schedules general purpose classrooms.

Holiday Hotline hours Nov. 21-23

Due to the University's Thanksgiving holiday, the Classroom Support Hotline will operate the following hours on November 21-23:

Wednesday, November 21: 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Thursday, November 22: Closed
Friday, November 23: Closed

Messages left on the Hotline voicemail will be monitored (and responded to as necessary) while the Hotline is closed. The Hotline will return to regular operating hours on Monday, November 26.

The Classroom Support Hotline operates at 612-625-1086.

Scheduling Update: November workshop on waitlisting

A workshop from the Student Records Training & Support team will cover setting up and monitoring waitlists, using the auto invite functionality, and some tips and tricks for using waitlisting within PeopleSoft. The workshop will be informational for both current users of waitlists and those considering implementing it within their college/department.

The SR Help workshop will take place on Tuesday, November 20, 11:00 a.m. - 12 noon in B20 Fraser Hall. No prior registration is needed for these workshops. Please note: B20 Fraser is not a handicap accessible room.

Scheduling Update: Scheduling summer 2013 (1135) reminders

If scheduling for summer session, review the summer scheduling guidelines. Summer 2013 ECS period 1 deadline is November 27.

Scheduling Update: Final exam scheduling almost complete

Fall 2012 final exam scheduling is in the home stretch. You can follow the progress here. As a reminder, final exams for classes that meet in departmental space will need to be scheduled within the department. The Office of Classroom Management (OCM) scheduling team only schedules final exams for classes that meet in general purpose classrooms.

Scheduling Update: Transition Guide for PeopleSoft Course/Class project

During the past year, an Academic Support Resources (ASR) committee has worked to make course information easier to maintain, while also increasing the accuracy of reporting and student billing. This data simplification project will aid in the PeopleSoft 9.0 upgrade project. The conversion was done behind the scenes in collaboration with the Office of Information Technology. Changes are effective starting summer 2013. The conversion impacts all University campuses.

You will notice that some fields in ECS and ECAS have fewer options, and one has even been completely eliminated. Refer to the Course and Transition Guide on the ASR website for complete information.

Scheduling Update: ECS period 1 open for fall 2013 (1139) and spring 2014 (1143)

Electronic Course Scheduling (ECS) in PeopleSoft is available for the fall 2013 (1139) and spring 2014 (1143) class schedule production. Remember to delete any course sections that have rolled forward but will not be taking place during either term. You can delete courses/sections in ECS by clicking on the minus button on the Basic Data panel of "Maintain Schedule of Classes."

The following resources for scheduling courses are available:

• Class schedule production instructions
• Class scheduling distribution summary
• Class scheduling policy FAQs

OCM helps expand UMN-TV service

As reported in the Office of Information Technology (OIT) blog, the Office of Classroom Management (OCM) has joined the UMN-TV partnership to assist interested units and departments make the transition from an individual cable TV contract to UMN-TV. More information can be found at OCM's website.

Housing & Residential Life (HRL) has recommendations for what types of TVs work best with UMN-TV and information about UMN-TV's Online Service (IPTV). The channel lineup is subject to change.

If your department currently pays for an individual cable TV contract, contact Jeremy Todd, director of OCM, to learn more about transitioning to UMN-TV service.

Scheduling-U

Scheduling U began Monday, October 15 and will continue through Friday, October 19. Scheduling staff will provide information about new classroom scheduling software, classroom updates, policy updates, the PeopleSoft course/class coding project, and the new scheduling distribution policy outcomes. Please plan to attend.

DVD/VCR Retirement Plan

OCM will begin implementing a multi-year phased retirement plan of VCR and DVD players in all general purpose classrooms. The projection system equipment standards have been modified due to a declining demand and availability of these players, and newly constructed classrooms will no longer include these components.

The retirement plan will begin by removing VCR, DVD, or combination DVD/VHS players from select classrooms during their scheduled technology equipment lifecycle renewal update.

If your course requires a classroom equipped with a VCR or DVD player, classroom characteristics must be specified during Electronic Course Scheduling (ECS) period 1. Classroom requirements should be reviewed with your departmental scheduling coordinator.

For questions, contact the Classroom Support Hotline at 612-625-1086.

Scheduling Update: Reminder about fall 2012 final exam scheduling

Fall 2012 final exam scheduling is underway. OCM only schedules final exams for classes that meet in general purpose classrooms. Final exams for classes that meet in departmental space need to be scheduled within the department.

Notify the scheduling team as soon as possible of course sections that will not require a classroom during finals week by emailing ocmsched@umn.edu with the subject line "Fall 2012 Final Exam" and the course and section number(s) in the body.

Scheduling Update: PeopleSoft course coding project: Components

During the past several months, an ASR committee has worked to make course information easier to maintain while also increasing accuracy in reporting and billing. One outcome of this work was reducing the number of course components from 26 to 8. The remaining components are as follows:

• Lecture
• Lab
• Discussion
• Independent Study
• Field Work
• Extra Credit
• Rotation
• Lecture Workaround

The manual process of converting courses with components that will no longer be used began on September 25 and will be completed by October 21. You can view the course component translation table to see how components are being converted and how they will be used going forward. No effort on your part is required at this time.

Scheduling Update: PeopleTools Upgrade

Beginning Saturday, October 13, the Office of Information Technology will upgrade the critical software (PeopleTools) that supports PeopleSoft Campus Solutions and Financials. To accommodate this upgrade, all PeopleSoft systems and related applications will be unavailable from 6 p.m. on Saturday, October 13 until 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 14. Batch jobs will not run during the upgrade. Full functionality will be restored by 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 14. This upgrade will allow the University to continue to receive technical support from Oracle and is a critical building block for the Enterprise System Upgrade Project.

What do you need to know for when the upgrade is complete?

• There will be a new list of certified browsers
• There will be a small change when navigating with breadcrumbs

You may need to prepare your browser (e.g., clear your cache) before you log in to PeopleSoft for the first time after the upgrade

More information is available on the PeopleTools Upgrade page.

Scheduling Update: Vendor selected for new classroom scheduling software system

Ad Astra has been selected to replace R25 for the new University-wide classroom scheduling software system. A contract was signed Friday, September 28 and implementation will begin soon. The goal is to be fully implemented for fall 2013 scheduling.

Ad Astra will provide a solid software system to effectively support classroom scheduling with improved efficiency and functionality. It will be used across all University campuses, including Crookston, Duluth, Morris, Rochester, and the Twin Cities.

More information about the implementation will be announced in future issues of Scheduling Update.

Scheduling Update: Scheduling U - October 15-19, 2012

All schedulers should plan to attend the annual scheduling workshop series, Scheduling U! This year, there will be three sessions. Visit the Scheduling U website to see the complete list, dates, and times.

• Scheduling Update: East Bank (10/15), West Bank (10/16), St Paul (10/18) Join the scheduling unit to learn about new classroom scheduling software, classroom updates, policy updates, the PeopleSoft course/class coding project, and the new scheduling distribution policy outcomes.
  

• Academic Scheduler Orientation/Refresher: East Bank (10/17), West Bank (10/15), St Paul (10/18) 
  Whether new to academic scheduling or simply looking for a refresher, this session will provide important information about scheduling processes, policies, and procedures. Topics covered include ECS tips and tricks, ECAS, and the academic schedule production cycle.

• Academic Health Center Scheduling: East bank (10/19)
  Discuss issues, problems, and solutions about scheduling with scheduling colleagues from departments across the Academic Health Center (AHC).

Summer study space renovations

The Office of Classroom Management (OCM) completed a few study space renovations this summer. Skok Hall B50, formerly the Forestry Library, is now a study space that seats 150 and includes lounge seating and group tables. Additionally, the College of Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Sciences will be putting an advising office into the space.

Additional seating was installed late summer 2012 in the Willey Hall atrium, bringing the capacity from 81 to 139.

Ruttan Hall study space (room 10) is again available after being unavailable during a summer construction project adjacent to the space. The space now has updated vending, improved access, and new glass partitions to reduce noise flow.

Scheduling Update: Reminder about fall 2012 final exam scheduling

Fall 2012 final exam scheduling will begin soon. The Office of Classroom Management scheduling team only schedules final exams for classes that meet in general purpose classrooms. Final exams for classes that meet in departmental space need to be scheduled within the department.

Because of space constraints on campus, it is more important than ever to let the Scheduling team know if there are sections that will not require a general purpose classroom during finals week. Please notify the Scheduling team of course sections that will not require a classroom during finals week by emailingocmsched@umn.edu with the subject line "Fall 2012 Final Exam" and the course and section number(s) in the body.

Scheduling Update: Spring 2013 (1133) scheduling continues

The process of placing unplaced course sections for spring 2013 is continuing. Please review assignments for your department to ensure all classes requiring a general purpose classroom have been assigned. Contact Scheduling with any questions about general purpose classroom assignments.

Please note: It will not be possible to accommodate all new requests for classrooms at high-demand times. To see if there is classroom space available at a particular time, email ocmsched@umn.edu. If you would like to schedule a class in a specific classroom, check the General Purpose Classroom Schedule Viewer to see if the room is available first.

Room assignments are subject to change prior to the start of the term. While this usually only affects a small number of classes, the Office of Classroom Management (OCM) always encourages instructors to verify their classroom assignment before the first class meeting.

Scheduling Update: Scheduling U - October 15-19, 2012

Join us October 15-19 for our annual scheduling workshop series, Scheduling-U! All schedulers should plan to attend one of the "Scheduling Update" sessions that will cover:

• new room scheduling software
• upcoming classrooms updates
• policy changes
• the PeopleSoft course/class coding project
• Academic Course Distribution Summary outcomes

Staff will be on hand to answer any questions you have about all things scheduling. For more information, please visit the Scheduling-U 2012 webpage.

Scheduling-U workshop schedule: 
Scheduling Update 
*Monday, October 15, East Bank, 1:30-3 p.m., 530A STSS 
Tuesday, October 16, West Bank, 1:30-3 p.m., 150 Blegen Hall 
Thursday, October 18, St. Paul, 10-11:30 a.m., 415 Alderman Hall 

Academic Scheduler Orientation 
Monday, October 15, West Bank, 10-11:30 a.m., 130 Blegen Hall 
*Wednesday, October 17, East Bank, 10-11:30 a.m., 140 Nolte Center 
Thursday, October 18, St. Paul, 1:30-3 p.m., 12 Biological Sciences Center 

AHC Scheduling 
Friday, October 19, East Bank, 10-11:30 a.m., D325 Mayo Memorial Building

*session will be recorded

Scheduling Update: Change to Summer 2013 production calendar dates

To accommodate an upcoming data conversion project involving course- and class-coding fields, the summer 2013 ECS production calendar dates have been changed. ECS period 1 for summer 2013 (1135) will open on October 22, 2012 and close on November 26, 2012. Please see the 2013-14 Schedule Production Calendar for more details.

Scheduling Update: 2013-14 Scheduling production calendar

The tentative 2013-14 scheduling production calendar has been posted. Some changes are still in the process of being updated (particularly the summer 2013 dates) but will be announced as they are made.

Scheduling Update: Save the date for Scheduling U

All schedulers are encouraged to attend Scheduling U this fall to learn about new information regarding Scheduling. Sessions will be held October 15-19 and will take place on the Minneapolis and St. Paul campuses. More details will be announced soon.

Scheduling Update: Recap of summer classroom renovations

Several general purpose classrooms and study spaces were renovated or upgraded during the summer. Detailed project information is available on the OCM website, but here are a few highlights:

• Technology Updates: OCM updated classroom equipment in more than 50 rooms.
• Apple TV expansion: Apple TV will be implemented in Appleby 3 and expand to include Fraser 102, Vincent 16, and STSS 114, 118, and 412.
• Student Study Space renovations: 
  Renovations occurred in Skok, Ruttan, and Willey Hall Atrium.
• Furniture Updates: Furniture was replaced in Keller, seating and lighting replaced in Vincent, and seating replaced in Kolthoff.

Scheduling Update: Fall 2012 class cancellations

Remember to cancel classes with no enrollment for fall 2012 (1129). This will ensure that the room assignment is released and the class is no longer displayed on the Class Schedule.

What is a PCC?

Classroom Technical Services' Projection Capable Classroom (PCC) standard encompasses a set of criteria for the design and installation of technology in classrooms and conference rooms, giving faculty and staff the ease-of-use and reliability needed for classroom technology.

This criteria includes easy-to-use controls and devices, a room and furniture layout that promotes learning, network connectivity, and monitoring of the classrooms by OCM Classroom Support staff.

Classroom Q&A: Help! The door is locked

Many classroom doors have a rigid handle that does not turn that may make the door seem locked. Very rarely are the doors to classrooms locked. To open it, simply pull or push the door, instead of turning the handle.

If you find a classroom door locked, call the Classroom Support Hotline right away at 5-1086. All general purpose classrooms are scheduled to be unlocked Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., with limited rooms open on Saturdays. This schedule may be altered by events scheduled in rooms. For more information about classroom schedules, please see our FAQs.

Refillable Marker Pilot Expansion

In Spring 2012, OCM started testing a refillable marker product in Nicholson Hall as a more sustainable option for general purpose classrooms. The markers are able to be refilled with ink, preventing costly multiple replacements and supply issues. This fall, the pilot will expand to include Folwell Hall in order to gather additional feedback about marker quality and support. If you have any questions about this pilot, please contact the Classroom Support Hotline at ocmhelp@umn.edu or 612-625-1086.

Welcome to fall semester 2012

Classroom renovations and updates 

Several general purpose classrooms and study spaces were renovated or upgraded this summer. You can find detailed project information on the OCM website, but here are a few highlights of classroom projects completed over the summer:

• Technology Updates: As part of the OCM's commitment to providing instructional technology in general purpose classrooms, OCM updated classroom equipment in more than 50 rooms.
• AppleTV expansion
• Student Study Space renovations: Skok, Ruttan, Willey Hall Atrium
• Furniture Updates: Keller (replaced furniture), Vincent (replaced seating and lighting), Kolthoff (replaced seating)

How to locate your classroom assignment
Room assignments for fall 2012 classes are available on the One Stop Class Schedule. Please note: room assignments are subject to change prior to the start of term. While this usually only affects a small number of classes, verify your classroom assignment before the first class meeting. If you have specific questions about your room assignment, contact your department scheduling coordinator.

Classroom technology instructions & videos
Classroom technology instructions have recently been redesigned. The previous PDF versions were replaced by printable web pages and updated to showcase classroom equipment and features available for each building with OCM-managed classrooms. The instructions for each building provide a list of equipment and additional features, a list of rooms that include the equipment/features, and an image of the instructor station in each classroom.

• Find technology instructions and videos

Orientation is available upon request for those who want to learn more about the new instructions. For any questions, contact OCM Classroom Support or 612-625-1086.

OCM News Blog
Stay informed about general purpose classrooms and student study spaces by visiting the OCM News Blog. The blog provides news and information updates throughout the semester and is accessible via the OCM website or by subscribing using your favorite RSS feed/blog reader.

Contact us
OCM is available to help with any questions, concerns, or comments regarding general purpose classrooms or central student study spaces. Contact us via the Classroom Support Hotline:

• Call 612-625-1086
• Email ocmhelp@umn.edu

The hotline is available from 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Messages left at the Hotline are monitored by an On-Call Manager for response as appropriate after these hours.

Classroom Q&A: Is there training available on the technology features in the classroom?

Yes! The Office of Classroom Management offers equipment orientation sessions to any classroom users who are interested in learning more about the equipment and its capabilities. To set up a meeting, please contact our Instructional Technology Coordinator, John Knowles at 612-626-8650.

Faculty help available from OCM rapid response team

As the semester begins, remember to contact the Classroom Support Hotline at 612-625-1086 if you need assistance with your general purpose classroom. The hotline is available Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Messages left on the hotline after hours are monitored by an on-call Manager.

As an additional service, for the first few days of the semester, OCM technicians will be pre-positioned throughout the Twin Cities campus to provide rapid assistance should any issues arise.

Apple TV pilot expanding to more classrooms!

In fall 2012, the Apple TV feature will be implemented in Appleby 3 and expand to include Fraser 102, Vincent 16, and STSS 114, 118, and 412. This feature was developed in partnership with the College of Education & Human Development and utilizes the services of the Office of Information Technology. 

Apple TV enables users to display presentations from an iPad or Apple computer using a wireless network. Contact Instructional Technology Coordinator John Knowles for more information.

Scheduling update: Classroom utilization reports

Classroom utilization is one measure OCM uses to ensure good stewardship of limited classroom resources and to reduce overall costs. Annual classroom utilization data is available on OCM's website. Reports for General Purpose Classrooms are available from fall 2000 to present. Departmental classroom utilization is also available for academic years 2010-2011 and 2011-2012. 

To request additional information, please contact Christine Mounts.

Scheduling update: Releasing reserved seats

If reserved seats have not been released by departments, Academic Support Resources will do so for fall 2012 (1129) on Friday, August 31. Reserved group seats are always released the Friday before the first day of class each semester.

You may choose to release reserved seats prior to August 31 to increase enrollment. Guidelines for the Management of Reserved Group Seats are available to help department schedulers determine the appropriate release date. For questions on how to release reserved seats, contact the Student Records Training Team.

Scheduling update: Classroom instructions redesigned

OCM has redesigned their classroom instructions. On Monday, August 20, the previous PDF versions will be replaced with printable web pages. Each page showcases the classroom equipment and features available for each building with OCM-managed classrooms. The instructions for each building provide a list of equipment and additional features, a list of rooms that include the equipment/features, and an image of the instructor station in each classroom.

The process for finding instructions for your classroom(s) remains much the same. Simply search by room and the system directs you to a web page for the building you requested. You may also print the individual instructions for each equipment/feature you wish to know more about.

Orientation is available upon request for those who want to learn more about the new instructions. For any questions, contact OCM Classroom Support or 612-625-1086.

Scheduling update: Are you planning to use a department space for your class this fall?

Remember to add the facility ID in ECS! This ensures that students see the room location on the Class Schedule. Contact Scheduling if you do not have access to the department space in ECS.

Scheduling update: Check your room assignments for fall (1129) and spring (1133)

Room assignments for fall 2012 and spring 2013 are now available on the Class Schedule. Please review assignments for your department to ensure all classes requiring a general purpose classroom have been assigned. Contact Schedulingwith any questions about general purpose classroom assignments.

Room assignments are subject to change prior to the start of the term. While this usually only affects a small number of classes, the Office of Classroom Management (OCM) encourages instructors to verify their classroom assignment before the first class meeting.

Scheduling update: Course Guide video updates

Based on the low number of Course Guide video files, Academic Support Resources (ASR) has permanently discontinued the video upload service. This means users will no longer be able to upload videos with their Course Guide descriptions. Videos that have already been posted will continue to work whenever the same instructor teaches the same class, until it is removed by the department or the instructor.

Instructors will still have the option to upload a syllabus, photograph, and biography. Course Guide questions should be directed to the SR training team.

Scheduling update: Willey Hall auditoriums offline for summer 2013

Willey Hall auditoriums (125 and 175) will be offline for summer 2013 repair work and furniture replacement. As these are the Office of Classroom Management's (OCM) largest auditoriums, plan your course and event activity accordingly.

Scheduling update: Are you offering that class?

There are a large number of classes in the fall 2012 and spring 2013 class schedules that have a room assignment but no enrolled students. If you do not plan to offer a class, cancel the class in ECS as soon as possible.

Changing the enrollment capacity to zero and checking the "no print" box in ECS will not release the classroom assignment. Notify Scheduling if you cancel a class.

Scheduling update: Notes in ECS - Please check your work!

Remember to verify all class notes for your department on the Class Schedule. Class notes from ECS populate in the Class Schedule and roll forward each term. Be sure that the notes associated with your classes are still applicable.

Scheduling Update: Room assignments for fall (1129) and spring (1133)

Room assignments for fall 2012 and spring 2013 are now available on the Class Schedule. Please review assignments for your department to ensure all classes requiring a general purpose classroom have been assigned. Contact Schedulingwith any questions about general purpose classroom assignments.

The Office of Classroom Management (OCM) only finds a general purpose classroom for classes with a blank Facility ID in ECS. If the Facility ID field is populated, OCM is not actively looking for a classroom for your class. This includes being populated with a virtual space, such as ROOM000TBA or AHCROOMTBA.

Room assignments are subject to change prior to the start of term. While this usually only affects a small number of classes, OCM encourages instructors to verify their classroom assignment before the first class meeting.

Pardon our dust! OCM office under construction

The front doors and reception area of 160 Williamson Hall will be closed from August 1-6 due to construction for a new One Stop Student Services location.

If you have a meeting in 160 Williamson during the closure, please call ahead to have OCM staff meet you at a side door and let you into the office space.