UC continues to consider four-day week schedule

       University of the Cumberlands is in the process of considering a change from the current five-day week class schedule to a four-day week schedule to appeal to both current and prospective students.

        The four-day week schedule was first proposed in August 2009, but when the proposal was made to the faculty in fall 2010, it was met with some hesitance and opposition.

          
         Some departments think that it would be too difficult to fit classes into a four-day schedule. 

        
         “Every department has a different challenge that they foresee, and some have more than others;” said Gina Bowlin, co-chair of the 4-D committee, “larger departments are already working on such a compacted schedule, and for them to lose a day and try to cram it into the other four days is very intimidating.”

Sophomore, Christin Miller looks over her schedule for  the fall 2011 semester.  In the near future students may only be registering for classes Monday through Thursday.

           
         Classes would meet for an hour and 15 minutes twice a week in the same way that classes now meet on Tuesday and Thursday.  However, more classes can be taught on a Monday-Wednesday-Friday schedule because classes are 50 minutes, meaning departments will not only lose a day, but also a class-space in their schedules. 

          
         According to Dr. Jeff Smoak, co-chair of the 4-D committee, UC academic dean, Larry Cockrum is attempting to ease the schedule load of each department by requiring all departments teach one or two online courses in a regular 16-week semester. This implementation will go into effect in the fall semester of 2011.

Smoak said that teaching a few online classes will help department chairs to better assess whether or not a four-day schedule will work for their departments.

          
          The online classes will replace courses that are offered in multiple sections.

         
          “For example, there are currently three sections of music appreciation taught in the music department each semester.  In the fall, two of these sections will be offered on campus, and one will be offered online,” explained Smoak.

          
         Professors will have the option between two different formats of online classes, synchronous and asynchronous classes.  Synchronous classes meet in a chat room at a certain time.  In an asynchronous format, assignments are posted online on iLearn, and students are responsible for turning them in on time as well as corresponding with professors via email.

        
         Online classes will be taught later in the day, giving professors a lightened in-class schedule from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. when classes are normally scheduled.

         
        The committee is still far from a final decision regarding the four-day week. 

        
        “We need to get through the initial phase of the first year with the online classes,” said Smoak.

         
        Although it is too early to tell whether a four-day week is possible, both Smoak and Bowlin agree that it would be a positive move for the university.