Class Time Standards

Click here for a List of Allowable Day/Time Patterns

Slides 11-14 of this pdf of the presentation at the Registrar's March Meeting with Departments has explanations for the new policy.

What problems does this policy address?

• Students encounter scheduling conflicts when trying to choose courses each quarter because of overlapping time blocks.
• Classroom scheduling is difficult during peak hours; faculty are often unable to get the rooms they need, particularly technology-enhanced rooms.

What has historically contributed to these problems?

• 10% of all courses/sections before 5 p.m. start or end at a non-standard time.
• 43% of all courses/sections are scheduled to start between 11:00 a.m. and 1:15 p.m.
• 61% of all courses/sections are scheduled during the peak time period of 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

What can we do to diminish the severity of these problems?

• Use standard blocks of time* for class/section scheduling (see chart). These blocks regulate class starting times, class length, and meeting patterns (days).
• Shift 10% of courses/sections out of the peak time period; this can be accomplished by restricting the 75- and 90-minute courses so these do not encroach upon the peak meeting times of 10:00 a.m., 1:15 p.m., and 2:15 p.m.
• Avoid scheduling discussions during the peak time slots of 11:00 a.m. and 1:15 p.m.

*Standard lengths and times are defined as follows: class lengths: :50, 1:15, 1:30, 1:50, 2:50; class starting times: on the hour before noon, on the quarter-hour after noon

To what population of classrooms does this policy apply?

All courses (including discussion sections) must follow these guidelines. Courses meeting in laboratories, athletic facilities, music, drama, art, etc. are not subject to these rules. However, we encourage all courses to observe the standardized times to enhance the flexibility of students' schedules.

For questions, email reg-courses@stanford.edu