Fall 2021 final exam room assignments

Final exam rooms have been scheduled in classrooms for fall 2021 for those who filled out the In-Person Final Exam Request form. The list of final exams and common exams that have been scheduled is available on the Fall 2021 Final Exam and Common Exam Scheduled Rooms spreadsheet.

If you do not see a class on that list and know the class is intending to have an in-person final exam, please fill out the In-Person Final Exam Request form as soon as possible.

Final exam resources:

• Fall 2021 final exam regulations & times
• University final examination policy

Classroom usage during fall 2021 finals week

General purpose classrooms (GPCs) are available to be used as student study space or to take exams during final exam week when not otherwise scheduled for an exam. This ensures all students have access to space during final exams. Minimal events and no construction will be scheduled during finals week.

Classroom hours during final exam week will be as follows:

• Weekday hours will remain unchanged.
• Saturday, 12/18 (Final Exam Date): All general purpose classrooms will be open 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM.
• Sunday, 12/19 (Study Day): All general purpose classrooms in weekend buildings will be open from 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM. Weekend buildings include:
• East Bank: Bruininks Hall, Folwell Hall, Keller Hall, Nicholson Hall, Rapson Hall
• West Bank: Blegen Hall, CSOM, Hanson Hall, Humphrey Center
• St. Paul: McNeal Hall, Peters Hall, Ruttan Hall

Extended weekend classroom hours during finals week (fall 2021)

Final exams for fall 2021 begin Thursday, December 16. The last day of exams is Wednesday, December 22. Official University final exam schedules are available online.

• Final exam dates: Thursday, December 16 - Saturday, December 18, and Monday, December 20 - Wednesday, December 22
• Study Day: Sunday, December 19.

General purpose classroom hours will be extended on Saturday 12/18 and Sunday 12/19 to meet the needs of students and faculty during finals week. Weekday hours remain unchanged during finals week (see standard operating hours).

During finals week, December 16-22, classroom and building hours will be adjusted as follows:

• Saturday, 12/18 (Final Exam Date): All general purpose classrooms will be open 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM.
• Sunday, 12/19 (Study Day): All general purpose classrooms in weekend buildings will be open from 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM. Weekend buildings include:
• East Bank: Bruininks Hall, Folwell Hall, Keller Hall, Nicholson Hall, Rapson Hall
• West Bank: Blegen Hall, CSOM, Hanson Hall, Humphrey Center
• St. Paul: McNeal Hall, Peters Hall, Ruttan Hall
• Weekday hours will remain unchanged.

After final exams week, we will return to our standard operating hours.

NOTE: Building hours may vary from standard classroom hours. Be sure to carry your U Card with you at all times. Most buildings will require your U Card for exterior building access.

Fall 2021 final exams

Final exams have been scheduled in classrooms for fall 2021 for those who filled out the In-Person Final Exam Request form. The list of final exams and common exams that have been scheduled is available on the Fall 2021 Final Exam and Common Exam Scheduled Rooms spreadsheet.

If you do not see a class on that list and know the class is intending to have an in-person final exam, please fill out the In-Person Final Exam Request form as soon as possible.

Final exam policy resources:

• Final exam regulations
• Fall 2021 final exam times
• Fall 2021 common exam times
• University final examination policy

If a change is needed for a final exam, please continue to fill out the Final Exam Change Request form.

Fall 2021 opt-in final exams

Final exams have been scheduled in classrooms for fall 2021 for those who filled out the In-Person Final Exam Request form.

To review your department's final exams, please follow the steps below:

1. Sign in to Astra Schedule with your University internet ID and password in the upper right-hand corner of the screen.
2. Click on the “Academics” tab located in the top navigation menu.
3. Click on the “Sections” link at the top of the page.
4. Update the filters in the left column as follows:
• Is Exam = Yes
• Term = Fall 2021
• Subject = Select the subject(s) you schedule
• Campus = Mpls/St Paul
5. Click “Search” at the bottom of the filter column.
6. To save your filter selections for future use, click on the save button next to “Search” at the bottom of the filter column on the left.
7. Export the list to Excel by using the icon located in the middle of the bottom of the page.

Common exam room assignments are available to review separately.

Final exam policy resources:

• Final exam regulations
• Fall 2021 final exam times
• Fall 2021 common exam times
• University final examination policy

If a change is needed for a final exam, please continue to fill out the Final Exam Change Request form.

Last Call: Fall 2021 opt-in final exam request due Oct. 1st

This is the final reminder for the new final exam request process. If a classroom assignment is needed for an in-person or blended class’s final exam, departments need to let OCM know a room is required by filling out the In-Person Final Exams Request form, and we will schedule one for you. Please have this form filled out by October 1, 2021.

The final exam schedule (the date and time for when a final exam is to take place based on when the class was held during the term) is still in place and is available on the One Stop website.

If a change is needed for a final exam, please continue to fill out the Final Exam Change Request form. Both forms can also be found on the Final Exam Information page on the ASR website.

New process - Fall 2021 opt-in final exams

If a classroom assignment is needed for an in-person or blended class’s final exam, departments need to let OCM know a room is required by filling out the In-Person Final Exams Request form, and we will schedule one for you. Please have this form filled out by October 1, 2021.

The final exam schedule (the date and time for when a final exam is to take place based on when the class was held during the term) is still in place and is available on the One Stop website.

If a change is needed for a final exam, please continue to fill out the Final Exam Change Request form. Both forms can also be found on the Final Exam Information page on the ASR website.

Fall 2021 Modalities

Fall 2021 classes will be taught in person. No changes should be made to modalities of classes prior to the start of the term.

Fall 2021 opt-in final exams

We are changing how we schedule final exams this fall with an opt-in model for classroom assignments. We piloted this process last spring and found it to be successful.

If a classroom assignment is needed for an in-person or blended class’s final exam, departments need to let OCM know a room is required by filling out the In-Person Final Exams Request form, and we will schedule one for you. Please have this form filled out by October 1st, 2021.

The final exam schedule (the date and time for when a final exam is to take place based on when the class was held during the term) is still in place and is available on the One Stop website.

If a change is needed to a final exam, please continue to fill out the Final Exam Change Request form. Both forms can also be found on the Final Exam Information page on the ASR website.

Check fall term instructor assignments

You can have a positive impact on your classes when you enter complete and correct instructor information. Maintaining accurate instructor information gives them appropriate access to their online class rosters, Canvas, as well as their grade rosters (at the end of the term). Students also benefit from knowing who their instructors will be as they begin their semester.

CCS schedulers should verify instructor information for fall 2021 on the Meetings tab for:

• Correct Instructor information
• Use the minus button to delete any instructors or proxies that should no longer be listed
• Accurate instructor role
• Appropriate grading access

Note: All teaching assistants should be entered with a role of “TA.” Additionally, undergraduate teaching assistants can not have grade access.

Canceling classes for fall 2021 with zero and low enrollments

If you do not plan to offer a class, the class needs to be cancelled in CCS before the start of the term. Failure to cancel a class has a direct impact on students. Please do not try to do workarounds to hide the class from the schedule.

Starting Monday, August 30, ASR will formally review each class cancelation request.

For classes with low enrollment to be cancelled, please do the following:

• Change the Class Status to “Stop Further Enrollment” on the Enrollment Control panel of CCS
• Notify enrolled students directly to offer alternative options before requesting a class cancellation
• Email ocmsched@umn.edu to process your cancellation
• **If your college requires collegiate approval for cancellation with low enrollment, also refer to your college procedures

For classes with zero enrollments to be cancelled:

• Change the Class Status to “Cancelled Section” on the Enrollment Control panel of CCS
• Save

Fall 2021 general purpose classroom assignments

We have assigned all fall 2021 classes into General Purpose classrooms (GPCs) as needed. Please review room assignments for fall 2021 and encourage instructors to view room assignments on the Class Schedule.

Classrooms are set to standard layouts for fall 2021. Instructors may view general purpose classroom capacities and room layouts on OCM’s Room Search. Please notify ocmsched@umn.edu if you need assistance with any room change requests.

Canceling classes for fall 2021 with zero and low enrollments

If you do not plan to offer a class, the class needs to be cancelled in CCS as soon as possible and before the start of the term. Failure to cancel a class has a direct impact on students. Please do not try to do workarounds to hide the class from the schedule.

For classes with low enrollment to be cancelled, please do the following:

• Change the Class Status to “Stop Further Enrollment” on the Enrollment Control panel of CCS
• Notify enrolled students directly to offer alternative options before requesting a class cancellation
• Email ocmsched@umn.edu to process your cancellation
• **If your college requires collegiate approval for cancellation with low enrollment, also refer to your college procedures

For classes with zero enrollments to be cancelled:

• Change the Class Status to “Cancelled Section” on the Enrollment Control panel of CCS
• Save

Fall 2021 opt-in final exams

We are changing how we schedule final exams this fall with an opt-in model. We tried this process last spring and found it to be successful. Historically, we automatically scheduled finals in classrooms for all in-person classes, but we found that those classrooms were not highly utilized.

We are still working on the logistics of the process. However, for fall 2021, if a final exam is being held for an in-person or blended class, and a classroom is needed to hold the exam, you’ll need to let us know and we will schedule one for you. A form is being created for this purpose and will be available before the start of the semester.

The final exam schedule (the date and time for when a final exam is to take place based on when the class was held during the term) will still be in place and is available on the One Stop website.

Fall 2021 general purpose classroom assignments

We have assigned the majority of fall 2021 classes into general purpose classrooms as needed. Currently, we are working on assigning the remaining classes, which is less than 10%, into classrooms and may be reaching out if there are issues. CCS is open again for fall 2021.

Students will be sent a message in early July to look at their schedules and make decisions based on classroom assignments.

Review Room assignments

While OCM is still working to assign classrooms, you can review room assignments for fall 2021 on the Class Schedule.

If you are planning to assign a class in departmental space, please notify ocmsched@umn.edu, and we can assist with assigning the room so students will see it accurately on their schedules.

If you are planning to cancel any classes for fall, please do so as soon as you know they will no longer be offered. If students are enrolled, contact ocmsched@umn.edu. If no students are enrolled, you can cancel classes directly in CCS.

Instruction Modalities and ECAS updates

At this time, per the Provost’s message on March 12, instructors will still be required to get approval from their unit heads to change their class format from In-Person to a Remote or Online offering. Course updates will be required in ECAS by July 1, 2021 (if not already approved for online offerings) for Remote and Online offerings but may be scheduled in CCS with provisional approval. This is both for undergraduate (UGRD) and graduate (GRAD) classes.

*Courses adding an online option for fall 2021 specifically for international students can be updated in the class schedule without submitting a revised ECAS proposal. The process to offer an online option in these circumstances will mirror the temporary, pandemic-related processes in place during the 2020-2021 academic year.

Fall 2021 general purpose classroom assignments

As of May 28, all physical distancing requirements have been lifted for classrooms, and we will be at standard distancing for fall semester.

With this change, we are going to assign general purpose classrooms earlier than expected. CCS will be closed from June 16 to June 22 to assign general purpose classrooms to classes for fall 2021. Departments have until the end of day on June 15 to edit their fall schedules in CCS.

By assigning rooms earlier, we are hoping our incoming freshman class can make more informed scheduling decisions while attending orientation, and to give our currently enrolled students ample time to make decisions on their schedules once classrooms are assigned.

Room capacities have been updated to their prior standard capacities and can be found at our Room Search tool.

Review Room assignments

While OCM is working to assign classrooms, most room assignments for fall 2021 will be available on the Class Schedule. You may review assignments for your department to ensure all classes requiring a general purpose classroom have been assigned.

If you are planning to schedule some classes in departmental space, please notify ocmsched@umn.edu if you need assistance or if it means a general purpose classroom can be released.

Instruction Modalities and ECAS updates

At this time, per the Provost’s message on March 12, instructors will still be required to get approval from their unit heads to change their class format from In-Person to a Remote or Online offering. Course updates will be required in ECAS by July 1, 2021 (if not already approved for online offerings) for Remote and Online offerings but may be scheduled in CCS with provisional approval. This is both for undergraduate (UGRD) and graduate (GRAD) classes.

*Courses adding an online option for fall 2021 specifically for international students can be updated in the class schedule without submitting a revised ECAS proposal. The process to offer an online option in these circumstances will mirror the temporary, pandemic-related processes in place during the 2020-2021 academic year.

Fall 2021 scheduling

We will hopefully know more by the end of May as to what physical distancing guidelines (if any) and classroom capacities will be for the fall according to MDH and University guidelines. If there are changes that need to be made to classes, the Class Setup Guide is available to help make transitional changes to classes.

We still will not be assigning general purpose classrooms to fall 2021 classes until July 2021. We will be communicating with students and instructors when classrooms have been assigned.

Instruction modalities and ECAS updates

At this time, per the Provost’s message on March 12, instructors will still be required to get approval from their unit heads to change their class format from In-Person to a Remote or Online offering. Course updates will be required in ECAS by July 1, 2021 (if not already approved for online offerings) for Remote and Online offerings but may be scheduled in CCS with provisional approval. This is both for undergraduate (UGRD) and graduate (GRAD) classes.

Note: This ECAS approval requirement had been waived in the last few semesters due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but will now be required again with our move toward normal operations.

Fall 2021 scheduling

Instruction Modalities and ECAS updates

Per the Provost’s message on March 12, instructors will be required to get approval from their unit heads to change their class format from In-Person to a Remote or Online offering. Course updates will be required in ECAS by July 1, 2021 (if not already approved for online offerings) for Remote and Online offerings but may be scheduled in CCS with provisional approval. This is both for undergraduate (UGRD) and graduate (GRAD) classes.

Note: This approval requirement had been waived in the last few semesters due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but will now be required again with our move to normal operations.

• Online and Remote: ECAS updates will include updating the online course question to “Yes” and providing an updated syllabus to document the new modality for fall 2021. Department and collegiate approval must be obtained prior to ECAS submission.
• Blended: ECAS updates are encouraged, as well as providing an updated syllabus to document the new modality for fall 2021. Department and collegiate approval must be obtained prior to ECAS submission.

Distancing

Due to evolving public health guidance, we are aware that distancing in classrooms for fall semester may need to be changed. We are currently planning for multiple scenarios for the fall, with frequent evaluation of plans in place throughout the summer. We will not be assigning general purpose classrooms to fall 2021 classes until July 2021 when final decisions are made regarding physical distancing requirements for the term.

To view classroom capacities with various distancing for scenario planning, see (standard, 6’, and 3’) this Google sheet.

Use the Auto Enroll from Waitlist checkbox in CCS for summer and fall 2021

As a reminder, the Auto Enroll from Waitlist checkbox must be checked on both the enrollment and non-enrollment sections of your class for it to be included in the Auto Enroll from Waitlist process. CCS schedulers can find this checkbox on the UM CCS Maintain Schedule of Classes page > Enrollment Control tab.

The checked box serves the following two functions:

• Triggers the Auto Enroll from Waitlist process if a seat is available.
• Gives priority to students on the waitlist, so open seats are not taken by other students (before the Auto Enroll from Waitlist process runs).

Fall 2021 scheduling

President Gabel announced last week that we should plan for a return to normal operations this fall. With this announcement, we are expecting a stronger in-person presence for classes.

Instruction modalities

Per the Provost’s message on March 12, instructors will be required to get approval from their unit heads to change their class format from In-Person to a Blended, Remote, or Online offering. Course updates will be required in ECAS by July 1, 2021 (if not already approved for online offerings) for Blended, Remote, and Online offerings but may be scheduled in CCS with provisional approval.

Note: This approval requirement had been waived in the last few semesters due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but will now be required again with our move to normal operations.

• Online and Remote: ECAS updates will include updating the online course question to “Yes” and providing an updated syllabus to document the new modality for fall 2021. Department and collegiate approval must be obtained prior to ECAS submission.
• Blended: ECAS updates will require providing an updated syllabus to document the new modality for fall 2021. Department and collegiate approval must be obtained prior to ECAS submission.

Distancing

Widespread access to COVID-19 testing for all students, faculty, and staff will continue, as well as requirements for face coverings and physical distancing for the time being. With the return to normal operations, we will initially be assigning classrooms based on standard room capacities (no distancing). However, classrooms will not be assigned prior to registration.

It is also understood that we may need to adjust distancing for fall semester based on updated guidance. We are planning for multiple scenarios, with continual evaluation of plans in place throughout the summer. To view classroom capacities with various distancing for scenario planning (standard, 6’, and 3’), see this Google sheet.

Timeline

CCS will close at the end of day March 29,2021 and will reopen on April 5, 2021 to make final, emergent changes to the fall schedule prior to registration beginning on April 12, 2021.

As always, we will remain responsive to public health guidance, and we will pivot or adjust if needed.