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Wednesday, June 5, 2024

Spring 2025 (1253) scheduling is in progress

CCS is open for the initial build of the spring 2025 (1253) class schedule and closes at the end of the day (11:59 p.m.) on July 7th, 2024 to make general-purpose classroom assignments for spring classes. Please make any changes by the end of the day on Sunday, July 7, 2024.

Prior to CCS closing, make sure to do the following:

  • Work with your faculty and instructors to obtain updated information for the term.
  • Update class information using the CCS pages in PeopleSoft:
    • Cancel class sections that will not be offered this term.
    • Set realistic enrollment limits and requested room capacities (+/- 10% of last year’s enrollments).
    • Input instructor information and grade access in CCS.
    • Adjust non-standard class meeting times to a standard time.
    • Review classes outside of the Regular Session to ensure it is in the appropriate academic session (remember that classes in the extended regular session are typically not eligible for financial aid).
    • Indicate the required room characteristics (technology, seating styles, etc.) needed to facilitate teaching and learning by using the room characteristic codes accessible on the meeting pattern page of CCS.
    • Email ocmsched@umn.edu to add facility ROOM000TBA or NOROOMREQD to all class meeting patterns that will not require any room assignment or that will meet in a small office space.
    • Use Astra Schedule to assign departmental classrooms and labs directly to class sections.
  • Review the Class Scheduling Distribution Summary Report to assess department/college compliance with the distribution of meeting times (no more than 3% in any standard time block) and distribution of meeting patterns (no more than 50% meeting on Tuesday/Thursday).
    • Avoid scheduling class sections in high-demand periods/days.


Review room assignments for fall 2024 (1249)

While OCM is still working on assigning classrooms, most room assignments for fall 2024 are available on the Class Schedule.

  • The Office of Classroom Management (OCM) only finds general-purpose classrooms for classes with a blank Facility ID on the UM CCS Maintain Sched of Class page.
    • If the Facility ID field is populated (including a virtual space such as ROOM000TBA), OCM is not actively looking for a classroom for your class. 
  • Changes to room assignments do not generate automated emails. 
    • If you change a classroom assignment, you must notify instructors and students directly.
  • Room assignments are subject to change prior to the start of the term.
    • While this usually only impacts a small number of classes, instructors should be encouraged to verify their classroom assignments before the first class meeting.
  • If you are planning to cancel any classes for the fall, please do so as soon as you know they will no longer be offered. 
    • If students are enrolled:
      • Add “Stop Further Enrollment” on the class.
      • Email the students to let them know the class is being canceled.
      • Contact ocmsched@umn.edu to cancel the class.
    • If there are no students enrolled in the class, you can cancel classes directly in CCS.  

Upcoming PeopleSoft unavailability and changes

MyU, PeopleSoft applications, and other related online services such as APAS will be unavailable due to a system upgrade on Saturday and Sunday, June 8 and 9. Service is expected to be restored on Sunday afternoon. During the outage, you can check the Service Status website for updates. When work is complete, we recommend that you clear your browser cache before logging into PeopleSoft or MyU. 

PeopleSoft Campus Solutions users will notice changes that include a new look and additional options on all search pages. 

The new Student Program Plan search page. The new layout includes more search options and a gray box outlining the search fields.

Additionally, a button has replaced the tab layout on search pages that include the option to Add a New Value or Find an Existing Value. This includes the Quick Enroll a Student, Student Program Plan, Request a Transcript Report, and other pages.

The Quick Enroll a Student search page. On the right, a yellow button titled "Find an Existing Value" is circled in red.

Astra to be replaced with 25Live

After completing the Request for Proposal (RFP) process, CollegeNET has been selected as the vendor to replace Astra for the University’s class and room scheduling system. CollegeNET’s 25Live product achieved the top score with the following highlights:

  • An updated, multi-campus academic and room scheduling platform
  • Improved workflow management, calendars, and customization options
  • Smarter event forms and streamlined event pricing
  • Increased what-if scenario planning
  • Advanced administrative tools

A core group has been preparing for the project kickoff by conducting preliminary analysis and planning. The project will officially kick off with the vendor in late July and is expected to launch in June 2025. The project team will work with the University community to ensure 25Live is optimally configured. Communications, including comprehensive training plans, will continue throughout the project with current Astra users to ensure a smooth transition. 

Astra will continue to be the University’s class and room scheduling system until 25Live launches. 

2025-26 production calendar

The 2025-26 production calendar is now available. If you want the production calendar added to your Google calendar, follow the instructions at the bottom of the page.

CCS user workshops

Please join us for our monthly CCS user workshops. These workshops allow us to connect with our departmental schedulers and review relevant topics.

These workshops are conducted over Zoom on the second Tuesday of the month from 11:00–11:30 a.m. (15–20 minute presentation with time for discussion). 

To attend a workshop, simply add the class schedule production calendar to your Google Calendar:

A Zoom meeting link and materials will be added to the calendar event closer to the day of the workshop. 

Upcoming topics

  • June 11th - Astra Academics
  • July - No CCS Workshop
  • August 13th - Start of Term Reminders