Schedule Change: More Friday Classes?

Although students and faculty do not seem to find issues with the current schedule at St. Lawrence, the Registrar’s Office is proposing changes. Some students are questioning whether the schedule changes are an attempt to address the parties that happen during weeknights. However, University Registrar Lorie MacKenzie emphasizes that the schedule changes are a result of room conflicts. 

The idea that sparked the change in class schedules is due to the need to have open slots of time during the day without scheduled classes for students and faculty according to MacKenzie. 

Additionally, the expected outcome of the schedule change will create time for students and professors to meet during the day as well as attend events on campus at that time. This means that most classes on campus will be held at the same time during the day. 

Students like Serena Wells ‘22 have wondered why there needs to be a change in schedule now. “I thought that the schedule of classes was fine as is, I have not heard of any problems with how classes are run now,” Wells stated. 

Wells also mentioned that the professors she has talked to about the changes have not mentioned any problems they have had in past semesters with how classes are organized. Even though there does not seem to be any visible issues with the current schedule MacKenzie said that there are problems that could be addressed. 

“Our students have complained about many classes being offered only during the same time periods. We can increase student opportunities for course selection by spreading courses among our existing schedule,” mentioned MacKenzie. 

Another concern is the locations of the classes themselves. There are issues with multiple classes being scheduled during busy time periods which means that there are not enough classrooms available during those parts of the day, according to MacKenzie. During less popular class times, the university has several rooms that are not being utilized, according to MacKenzie. 

Margaret Dener ’22, is concerned about the new schedule changes and has noted that her friends are concerned as well. “I have an internship and the only day I don’t have classes and can work is Friday. 

If I don’t have the choice of not having Friday classes then this limits my opportunities to be involved with internships,” stated Dener. 

“I know other students have to do the same thing as me with their schedules if they want to work on campus.”

There is also concern that this proposal is in an attempt to curb the culture of partying during the week at St. Lawrence. “If they intend on adding Friday classes so students will not drink during the week then there will just be more students hungover showing up to class. Students seem to go out even if they do have class in the morning,” argued Wells. 

Students involved in the Java theme house have also commented on this issue. “I think its ridiculous, most students believe it’s a myth,” said Jason Martin ’20.

Martin believes that the change is an attempt at making SLU appear as a more studious university rather than one where students party during the week. “If prospective students come here on a tour and hear that we have required 8 a.m. classes no one will want to go here,” explained Martin.

Since there are shows at the Java Barn on Thursday nights, students also believe that the new schedule would attack these events. “I enjoy going to Java, and hearing these changes makes me believe that the administration wants to prohibit students from enjoying these shows,” remarked Dener. 

Martin also thinks that adding more classes on Fridays would mean that the administration is disapproving of the shows that normally happen on Thursday nights.  

The proposed changes are currently only a discussion among faculty and administrators. “There may be future discussions regarding a change, but nothing as far as a new class schedule is happening or moving forward right now,” added MacKenzie. 

“As a campus, we need to use our rooms and schedule more efficiently in order to determine what our future classroom needs really are.” 

Dean of Academic Affairs Karl Schonberg, Professor of Statistics Michael Schuckers, and MacKenzie are members of the faculty that have suggested the change in class schedules.