When scheduling classes every semester, the Registrar leaves a block of time at 4 pm on Tuesdays free from most classes. For example, this semester, there are only 16 classes scheduled during that time period. The intent of this is to leave time for the Institute to schedule events that students, faculty, and staff can attend with minimal schedule conflict.
This sounds like a good idea, right? Well, it would be if the time was actually used for such events. This week’s spring Town Meeting would have been the perfect occasion to schedule at that time. Instead, it was scheduled from 1-3 pm on Monday, a time in which over 200 classes occur concurrently. This problem was exacerbated by the fact that it occurred during the 2 pm break that is typical of many schedules—thus students couldn’t go to the entirety of their 12 pm or 2 pm class.
Every semester, the Town Meeting gives President Shirley AnnJackson an opportunity to update the campus on the state of administrative issues in relation to the Institute. While people that aren’t able to make the meeting can read about the topics discussed later, it is better to be at the meeting and hear the speech firsthand. Also, it is one of the few opportunities that students and faculty have to ask Jackson questions about administrative policies and the Institute in general. Although credit must be given for Pizza with the President, which has helped to improve relations with students, many do not have the opportunity to attend such an event; Pizza with the President is typically scheduled from 12-2 pm.
While we understand that Jackson has a busy schedule, it would be for the best if she could make time for this once-a-semester event when it is most convenient for the RPI community. By scheduling this important meeting during prime class time, Jackson sends a message to the community that students’ schedules aren’t a significant concern in planning Institute events. Some cynics might even interpret that the administration would rather not have a large crowd for such a meeting.
While the Editorial Board does not fit into the latter group, we still find it disconcerting that the block of time set up for these events doesn’t get used for much other than an ongoing lecture series. We feel that important recurring campus events such as the Town Meeting should be scheduled when the students, faculty, and staff are most available.
