Below is an FAQ sheet that we hope answers most of your questions regarding this change.
Why does the university need a new class schedule?
FIU is working continually to deliver the most advantageous learning environment for our students. Providing classrooms that can accommodate today’s technology is a priority. Another important point driving this change is our efficiency in using existing classroom space. Currently, FIU ranks last in the State University System in our efficiency of classroom utilization. We predict classroom utilization will be looked at closely by the Florida Legislature in the coming years in funding building requests from the state universities. The new Monday-Wednesday-Friday schedule will help us better utilize our existing facilities to ensure our share of funding growth in the decade to come.
What will change?
Monday-Wednesday classes that were held before 5pm will now become Monday-Wednesday-Friday classes. The current 75-minute classes will become 50 minutes.
What about evening, weekend, and summer classes?
The new class schedule will apply only to Monday-Wednesday classes scheduled before 5 p.m. Evening, weekend, and summer classes will not be impacted by the change.
Does this mean I have to be on campus more often than I already am?
Not necessarily. We want the impact of this new schedule on our students to be as minimal as possible, particularly for those students who are farthest along in their academic careers. Since students will now be able to take four classes in the same time frame in which they previously could only take three (because the classes will now be 50 minutes instead of 75 minutes), the new schedule might even save students trips to campus by building increased efficiency into course scheduling.
Will this initiative impact graduate students?
Yes, but not as much as undergraduate students. Since most graduate students take their courses in the evening and those classes will not be changed with the new schedule, few graduate students should be affected.
How will the university accommodate students who are required to work in the field such as nursing and education students?
FIU administrators are well aware of these requirements. The new system will create equity in the schedule to allow for the required field work in some majors.
You said that the new system will allow for greater predictability of scheduling. How so?
The new schedule will list – up to two semester in advance – university courses, the times they will be offered and the faculty members who will teach them.
