Classroom Use and Guidance

Accessibility

Classroom assignments may be changed when the room is inaccessible for a student or instructor. Instructors should work with the Office of Human Resources (OHR) to document any disability that may need accommodations. The Office of the Registrar works closely with OHR and the Accessible Education Center to ensure classrooms are accessible and appropriate for student learning.

Room Capacity and Configuration

Classroom spaces are configured to allow for maximum capacity and follow state and city safety regulations. Furniture and equipment should not be moved from one room to another without approval from the Office of the Registrar.

Food and Beverage

Food and beverage service is not allowed in academic classrooms. The possession, consumption, or furnishing of alcoholic beverages or controlled substances are prohibited in any classroom. To schedule an event with food or beverage, people may contact University Catering and Conferences to obtain permission and organize the event.

Classroom Maintenance

Facilities Services manages regular classroom maintenance. Information Services maintains and repairs technology within a classroom.

Shared Responsibility

All faculty and staff who use classroom spaces should follow the guidelines for classroom usage. When issues arise, they should contact the appropriate party to support maintenance sustainability.

Changes in Classroom Assignments

Instructors or departments may not move their class from an assigned room without prior approval from the department scheduling coordinator and the Office of the Registrar. All schedule changes affecting class meeting times, days, or classroom assignments must be submitted to Academic Scheduling via CLSS. If the day or time is changing, students will be dropped from the CRN and must re-register themselves. Departments are responsible for notifying all registered students of the change to the class schedule and the need to re-register for the class. For this reason, day and time changes are not permitted after the add deadline of a term.

In the event of an emergency evacuation of a classroom or building, Academic Scheduling will attempt to relocate classes to temporary meeting rooms if desired.

Joint-Controlled Classrooms

A joint-controlled classroom is one which is jointly scheduled by an academic department and the Academic Scheduling Office. The academic department has priority in assigning courses into classrooms under joint-control, at the time the term class schedule is established.

The department is expected to fully use the seating capacity of department-controlled classrooms and conference rooms, and adhere to the time zones established within these procedures.

All unscheduled time after this initial schedule is developed will be available for general assignment.

Once rooms are assigned, classes will not be removed from joint-controlled classrooms when there is a change in the controlling-department class offerings.

Joint-controlled classrooms will not be made available for general use or student events. In turn, academic departments must schedule any use of the room beyond classes with Academic Scheduling, who will determine availability. Scheduling and Event Services does not schedule joint-controlled classrooms.

Resolution of Conflicts

Class size and equipment requirements will be determining factors in disputes involving credit-granting academic classes.

Highest priority is given to departments which do not control their own seminar rooms. Departments with dedicated seminar rooms are required to maximize the use of these rooms for smaller classes and meetings, rather than requesting room assignments from the general pool.

Academic Scheduling will make every attempt to mediate room conflicts and develop a solution. However, in the event that conflicts cannot be resolved at this level, the Deans, Registrar and/or the Provost's Office may become involved.

Faculty and instructors are responsible for sharing the ten-minute 'pass time' between classes. Every effort should be made to vacate the classroom in a timely way, allowing the following instructor to set-up and prepare, as well as allow the finishing instructor to make final remarks and gather materials. There is no 'ownership' of this time. Students should be encouraged to meet with the instructor during office hours rather than during the "pass time". Should conflicts develop, instructors should first attempt to resolve the concerns between themselves. If the result is unsatisfactory, conflicts must be mediated by department chairs.