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Thursday, December 8, 2011

Scheduling update: Verify instructor information for fall 2011 (1119)

To ensure instructors will be able to access their online grade rosters, please verify all of your fall 2011 courses have the correct instructor assigned for course sections that require grades. To determine if there are course sections that still require an instructor assignment, review the "Classes Missing Instructor Information - Campus Summary Report" in UM Reports.

Grades must be entered online by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, December 29 for most full semester and second 7-week session courses on the Twin Cities campus. If you have questions, contact the Student Records training & support team atsrhelp@umn.edu or 612-625-2803.

Read the rest of this update, featuring a reminder about final exams, room assignments for spring, non-standard classes, and more, or view the scheduling update archive.


Monday, December 5, 2011

Scheduling update: Review your department's fall 2011 final exams schedule

The fall 2011 final exam schedule for general purpose classrooms is now available for you to review in the classroom schedule viewer event catalog.

It is important to look through the courses for your department to make sure all are in place and correct. To review final exams click on the college, followed by subject, then the course, and, finally, click on the little cross in the box next to 'Meetings On or After Today' to review the final exam's time and location.

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

Questions about final exam(s) policy?

all 2011 final exam regulations

Fall 2011 final exam times

Fall 2011 common exam times

University final examination policy


If you have questions about scheduling, you can contact the scheduling team in the Office of Classroom Management at ocmsched@umn.edu.

Read this message with original formatting or view the scheduling update archive.



Thursday, November 17, 2011

Scheduling update: Are others asking about the new class scheduling policy?

If others in your department are curious or confused about the new class scheduling policy, you may direct them to the new class scheduling policy summary and FAQ. The following information might also be helpful to share:

  • The new policy was developed using the principles of 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, just that they need to be more evenly distributed through the day and week.
  • The Class Scheduling Distribution Summary is a tool that illustrates the class demand of a department or college. Anybody with an Internet ID and password can access the tool.
Read the rest of this update, featuring information about ECS period 1, how to find the Class Scheduling Distribution Summary, and final exam scheduling, or view the scheduling update archive.


Monday, November 7, 2011

Hotline holiday hours - November 23-25

Due to the University's Thanksgiving holiday, the Classroom Support Hotline will operate with the following hours on November 23-25:

Wednesday, November 23: 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Thursday, November 24: Closed
Friday, November 25: 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 28.

The Classroom Support Hotline operates at 612-625-1086. Happy Thanksgiving!


Friday, November 4, 2011

Scheduling U 2011 presentations

Scheduling U 2011 has finished its three-week run. Sessions were well attended and created useful discussions. Click on the links below to review presentations.


We are already looking forward to next year and want to continue to make the sessions useful for you. If you have suggestions for topics or improvements, email ocmsched@umn.edu.


Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Scheduling update: Last chance for Scheduling U

In order to ensure that instructors will be able to access their grade rosters online, please review all of your fall 2011 courses and make sure the correct instructor is assigned to each course that will require grades.

To determine if you have courses still requiring instructor assignment, review "Classes Missing Instructor Information" in UM Reports. The data in this report can be sorted by:

  • campus
  • college
  • department name & dept ID
  • subject
  • number of courses missing instructors

Read the rest of this update, featuring news about Scheduling U, information about scheduling finals, and upcoming important dates, or view the scheduling update archive.


Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Scheduling Update: October 19, 2011

In order to ensure that instructors will be able to access their grade rosters online, please review all of your fall 2011 courses and make sure the correct instructor is assigned to each course that will require grades.

To determine if you have courses still requiring instructor assignment, review "Classes Missing Instructor Information" in UM Reports. The data in this report can be sorted by:

  • campus
  • college
  • department name & dept ID
  • subject
  • number of courses missing instructors
Read the rest of this update, featuring Scheduling U, finals scheduling, and upcoming important dates, or view the scheduling update archive.http://www.classroom.umn.edu/scheduling/improve/SchedulingUpdate20111019.html


Announcing HDMI upgrade to the classroom projection system

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is a digital connection capable of
transmitting high-definition video and audio through a single cable. It is prevalent in flat-panel displays and projectors, as well as in DVD players, Blu-ray Disc players, and some laptops and tables, like the Apple iPad.

Whenever possible during projection system upgrade projects, OCM has modified the Projection Capable Classroom (PCC) standard to include HDMI inputs. Currently, over 50 classrooms support HDMI connections.

The success of connecting Apple laptops and iPads via HDMI varies with the classroom infrastructure. Rooms with multiple projectors will not currently distribute video from Apple devices using HDMI:

  • Due to the way Apple iPads sense display devices and automatically set up display mirroring, we are not able to distribute video from an iPad to multiple projectors using HDMI. In rooms with multiple projectors, the user is able to connect using the VGA cable.
  • The success of Apple laptops using the HDMI cable varies as well. If your laptop does not successfully connect to the classroom projection system when using the HDMI cable, you will need to use the VGA cable.
  • In order to connect to either VGA or HDMI sources, Apple devices need to use an adapter. Since 2008, Apple has equipped all Macintosh laptop computers with Mini DisplayPort connections. Mini DisplayPort is easily converted to HDMI via user-provided adapters. OCM does not supply adapters in classrooms.
We have not seen issues with Windows-based laptop hardware using the HDMI connection except when playing Blu-ray video.

For more information about HDMI, or to see a list of rooms with this feature, see the HDMI instructions page.



Monday, October 10, 2011

Scheduling Update: October 6, 2011

Review the Scheduling U dates and sessions and mark your calendar for the sessions you plan to attend. All schedulers should attend one of the three "Scheduling update" sessions. During these sessions of Scheduling U, scheduling unit staff will provide information about the new scheduling policy, discuss the process for non-standard classes, and more!

Read the rest of this update, featuring the results of a survey about ALC usage during finals week, summer 2012 scheduling reminders, and a calculation for determining class hours in May or summer sessions, or view the scheduling update archive.


Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Changing from cooling to heating season

In preparation for winter, Facilities Management will soon begin transitioning building systems from cooling to heating. This process varies by building and area of campus, requires careful and thorough attention, and will last for several weeks. Despite best efforts, some spaces may experience uncomfortable temperatures for a limited time. The goal of Facilities Management is to minimize this exposure.

The Office of Classroom Management and Facilities Management are committed to providing the best possible teaching and learning environments for University faculty and students. If you feel the temperature in your classroom is either too high or too low, please contact the Classroom Support Hotline at 612-625-1086For specific building information and the latest updates, please see Facilities Management's cooling-to-heating transition webpage.


Scheduling U 2011

Scheduling U 2011 will be held from Monday, October 17 through Friday, November 4, covering topics such as Electronic Course Scheduling, scheduling updates, and the Class Scheduling Distribution Summary. For event descriptions, dates, and times, visit the Scheduling U 2011 page.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Scheduling Update: September 21, 2011

Electronic Course Scheduling (ECS) in PeopleSoft will be available Monday, September 26 for May/summer 2012 (1125) class schedule production. The following resources for scheduling summer session courses are available to you:


Read the rest of this update, featuring changes to the roll forward of course data, the proposed new scheduling policy, and information about Scheduling U, or view the scheduling update archive.


Wednesday, August 31, 2011

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. 

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.


Folwell Hall renovations and grand re-opening

As we work to prepare classrooms in Folwell Hall for classes, we have updated the OCM website with Folwell Hall photos, news, and technology instructions. To locate specific classroom information and instructions for any room, visit Classroom Instructions.

The College of Liberal Arts will host a re-opening celebration for the hall from 2:30-4:30 p.m. on Friday, September 9 on the Folwell Hall south lawn. For more information, including photos of the renovation, visit CLA's Folwell Hall news page.


Monday, August 29, 2011

Welcome to the fall 2011 semester

New classrooms and renovations
Several general purpose classrooms 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:

  • Folwell Hall reopens with an entirely new interior, featuring 28 general purpose classrooms and 3 student study spaces. The new classrooms will have capacities ranging from 18-64 students; with an average classroom capacity of 34.
  • Humphrey Center featured renovation of classrooms 20 and 30, including carpet, paint, and furniture. The current chalkboards were replaced with markerboards, and the technology was enhanced to include widescreen projection, HDMI laptop sources, and installation of document cameras.
  • Akerman Hall reopens with a new HVAC system throughout the building.
  • Auditorium Lighting: In partnership with Energy Management, a project replaced the lighting in three auditoriums across campus. The intention of this project was to improve lighting and energy performance in large rooms which had previously used incandescent lighting. The three rooms that were updated were Murphy Hall 130, Ralph Rapson Hall 100, and Molecular Cellular Biology 3-120.

Classroom technology instructions
Classroom specific instructions for using the installed classroom technology is available on the OCM website, go to Find classroom instructions
  • We've added enhanced instructions and short video tutorials to the OCM website. Do you have any suggestions for a video tutorial or specific equipment instruction? Email ocmhelp@umn.edu with your suggestions.
Accessing the Internet
There are two options for accessing the Internet in a general purpose classroom: through the wired or wireless network. Detailed information about how to connect to a network can be found on the network FAQ. The wired network connection provides the highest level of performance and reliability and is recommended for presenters. This method requires prior DHCP registration (taking only a few minutes). Please read network FAQ to learn more about DHCP.

Contact us
OCM is available to help with any questions, concerns, or comments regarding general purpose classrooms or central student study spaces.

Classroom Support Hotline: Call 612-625-1086 or email ocmhelp@umn.edu
The hotline is available from 7:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Friday during fall semester.




Thursday, June 23, 2011

OCM/OIT video conferencing classroom pilot partnership

The Office of Classroom Management (OCM), the Office of Information Technology (OIT), and the Humphrey School of Public Affairs are pleased to announce a partnership project that will add video conferencing capability to the classroom technology system in Humphrey Center room 25.



This video conferencing pilot program will add enterprise-level video conferencing capability, based on established OIT video conferencing standards, to an existing general purpose classroom. When complete, the classroom projection system will allow full-function, high definition video conferencing features to support classes and other events. The new features will allow courses to connect to the Learning Network of Minnesota and other connection points. Technology and general classroom support will be provided by the OCM.


The pilot classroom will feature two high-definition cameras and monitors for remote site display, as well as installed microphones for full coverage of both the instructor and students. The added video conferencing technology will be fully integrated with the standard classroom projection system and will function with the same easy-to-use interface that instructors are accustomed to in other OCM classrooms. The pilot project equipment will be installed during the summer months and is expected to be available for use in fall semester, 2011.


For further information on this classroom technology pilot, please contact John Knowles at knowl014@umn.edu or 612-626-8650.



Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Scheduling Update: May 24, 2011

Electronic Course Scheduling  period 3 for spring 2012 (term 1123) is now open. During this period, OCM asks that you make changes due to unforeseen circumstances. Changes to meeting time(s) or enrollments greater than room capacity will result in loss of the central room assignment.

Read the rest of this update, featuring information on an R25 user group meeting and the beginning of full-year freshman registration for fall 2011, or view the scheduling update archive.


Monday, April 25, 2011

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.


Monday, April 11, 2011

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. 



Thursday, April 7, 2011

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.


Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Scheduling Update: March 30, 2011

Due to unforeseen circumstances ECS period 3 for fall 2011 (1119) will not open until Thursday, March 31. We apologize for the delay.

Please remember during ECS period 3 to make critical changes due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g., curriculum changes or faculty status changes). Changing the meeting time or enrollment capacity may result in the loss of central room assignment.

Read the rest of this update, featuring key dates, or view the scheduling update archive.



Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Scheduling Update: March 23, 2011

On Wednesday, March 30, ECS will reopen for ECS period 3 for fall 2011 to allow academic schedulers to make critical changes due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g., curriculum changes or faculty status changes). Changing the meeting time or enrollment capacity may result in the loss of central room assignment.

To help students plan for the next academic year, the preliminary spring 2012 class schedule will be posted on One Stop on Thursday, March 31. Please update your department's course information.

Read the rest of this update, featuring a review of the course scheduling budget calculator, the non-standard form for spring 2012, and a Course Guide reminder, or view the scheduling update archive.



Monday, March 7, 2011

Improvements coming to study space

OCM will be updating student study space in McNeal Hall 190223, 393 and Biological Science 15 on the St. Paul campus during the spring semester. The spaces will be updated with new flooring, paint, and furniture. 

From March 12-21, McNeal Hall 190, 223, and Biological Science 15 will be closed for construction. These spaces will be also be closed at the end of April for additional work.

If you have questions about the closure or construction, please contact Katie MacDonald at 612-624-0714 or macd0104@umn.edu.


Thursday, March 3, 2011

Scheduling Update: March 3, 2011

On Tuesday, March 8, fall 2011 (1119) 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 for fall 2011 scheduling will be closed to department schedulers from Wednesday, March 9, to Tuesday, March 29, while OCM reviews the Request for Approval of Non-Standard Meeting Time/Day Pattern forms and schedules general purpose classrooms.

Fall 2011 ECS period 3 opens on Wednesday, March 30, and will be open until Wednesday, April 13. During ECS period 3, OCM asks that you only make changes due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g., cancel, add, change). Changes to meeting time(s) or enrollments greater than room capacity will result in loss of a general purpose classroom assignment. Department R25 users can begin assigning departmental rooms. Registration for fall 2011 begins on Thursday, April 14.

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

Read the rest of this update, featuring a remembrance of Nancy Peterson, or view the scheduling update archive.



Monday, February 21, 2011

Scheduling Update: February 21, 2011

During ECS Period 1- Phase II, college administrators should begin to review departments' schedules for adherence to standard time, peak time, and course access policies. Department schedulers are expected to continue updating course information before ECS Period 2.

Please review the class production calendar for important scheduling dates and theclass schedule production instructions for ECS assistance.

Read the rest of this update, featuring information about room characteristics and a review of the budget tool, or view the scheduling update archive.


Friday, February 11, 2011

Correcting current markerboard performance issues

OCM is experiencing challenges with markerboard supplies and service delivery in some general purpose classrooms. We appreciate your patience as we work with Facilities Management and our product suppliers to correct these issues. 

OCM manages over 200 classrooms with markerboards around campus. Helpful hints for reducing problems:

  • Use only the provided Walltalkers products and disposable towels.
  • Do not use any other cleaning products or substances, these can damage the markerboard surface.
  • Performance of non-Walltalker products cannot be guaranteed.
Please contact the Classroom Support Hotline at 612-625-1086 or ocmhelp@umn.edu for any classroom concerns, questions, or information.


Friday, February 4, 2011

Akerman Hall classroom relocations

To accommodate the phased construction project to improve the
Akerman Hall Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
system and upgrade the Fire/Life Safety systems, course sections meeting in rooms 211, 215, 225, and 227, must be relocated to a room on the third floor.




Effective Monday, February 14, 2011, the new room assignments are: 


  • Room 211 course sections move to 313

  • Room 215 course sections move to 317


  • Room 225 course sections move to 319


  • Room 227 course sections move to 327


The new room assignments are for the remainder of the semester.



Instructors and students received an email notification of the
room change and signs will be posted by the second floor rooms.



Thank you for your patience and understanding while we work to
improve the general purpose classrooms in Akerman
Hall
. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you.




If you have any questions about the project or wish to report a
concern, please call the Classroom Support Hotline at 612-625-1086.     


Wednesday, January 12, 2011

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 any assistance with your general
purpose classroom.



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.