Saturdays could become regular class days due to construction and renovations.
Classes that meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays may also have to meet on Saturdays due to construction and renovation in Monroe Hall.
According to the Standing Council for Academic Planning, construction and renovations to this building would close access to some floors, meaning many classrooms would not be available for use.
“Monroe Hall will begin to be renovated January 2012, and it houses 50 percent or more of our classrooms,” said Edward J. Kvet, provost and vice president for academic affairs.
Classes held on Tuesdays and Thursdays could possibly be shortened to increase classroom availability, and this time would be compensated on Saturdays.
This would allow for more classes to be held on these days. However, according to Kvet, this is not the preferred solution, and any solution would not be permanent practice.
“I’m not sure it would make sense. It would cause more difficulty than is needed. Besides, these are temporary decisions,” Kvet said.
As in the case of Rabbi Robert Loewy, religious studies assistant professor, some instructors may not be able to give class on Saturdays due to religious traditions or other engagements.
“As a Judaism professor, I would not be able to give class on Saturdays,” Loewy said. “And even if I could, I would probably have a full class Tuesdays and Thursdays, and an empty class on Saturdays.”
Besides its status as a day of religious observance, Hillary Marker, music industries studies sophomore, perceives it as a day of leisure. “They should come up with a solution that doesn’t interfere with the social life and free time of students,” Marker said.
Other solutions include offering more classes earlier in the day, in the evenings, online, and changing the time of “the window.
The Facilities Planning Committee, a university-wide committee that includes a member of the Student Government Association, will be making the final decision by Spring 2011.
Vannia Zelaya can be reached at [email protected]
