Project Status: Implementation

It is important for PSU to have an intentionally designed set of uniform class meeting patterns to specify the days and number of times a class meets each week, as well as the standard start/end times of the class periods. The design and  adherence to the grid pattern can decrease course scheduling overlaps (i.e avoid creating unnecessary time conflicts for students) and maximize classroom space utilization. Results from the  Student Experience Survey indicate that courses scheduled outside of the standard time grid are a barrier to their academic success. Not only do elevated levels of off-grid scheduling make efficient classroom scheduling difficult, but overlapping courses make it difficult for students to register for the necessary courses. If students cannot get the courses they need when they need them, they may have to delay their graduation by a term or longer.

This project aims to review our current time grid by engaging academic units and students in understanding their class meeting pattern needs to see if adjustments can be made to improve the grid and see how we can reduce off-grid. The goal is to recommend a scheduling policy or guidelines that offer optimal meeting patterns to support students and restrict off-grid scheduling. 

Accomplished

  • Time grid workgroup met with Department  Chairs and scheduling specialists July 2024 to understand the challenges experienced with current time grid
  • The OIT Business solution team created a time-grid adherence dashboard to understand the current adherence to the time grid and identify common off-grid meeting patterns
  • Workgroup developed 3 potential new time grids based on the needs identified by academic departments and students
  • Developed and administered a survey for students and another for faculty/staff to collect preferences and feedback on the 3 proposed time grids
  • Delivered recommendation to Provost Chabon, received decision to move forward with a new time grid

In Progress

  • Reviewing Fall 2025 class schedule drafts for compliance with new grid
  • Working with OIT Business solution team to update the time grid dashboard tool, to monitor adherence. 
  • Meeting with schools/colleges and/or departments  to discuss adjustments to the new time grid
  • Communicating with student support units and auxiliary services across multiple divisions to encourage community building programming for the designated daily  community time 

Project Team

Sponsors: Erin Shortlidge and A&A (Associate and Assistant) Deans 
Project Lead: Nicolle DuPont
Project Coordinator: Mikky Bell
Team: Nicolle DuPont, Katherine Barich, Matthew Carlson, Adam Lutzow, Anh Ly, Alison Nimura, Jacob Suher
Collaborators: Academic Department Scheduling Chairs & Specialists