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)