SAIC is gearing up to implement a new plan to update the class schedule. The new schedule system, which staggers the start times of academic and studio classes, will go into effect Fall 2023.

The way SAIC’s classes have been laid out has not changed — at least on an institutional level — in over 40 years. While many students noticed changes to certain classes during the pandemic, such as shorter class times or staggered start times, there has not been a specific and permanent revamp of the schedule in decades.

However, for a while, students, faculty, and staff have been feeling the rumblings of this change. On Oct. 10, 2022, staff and faculty received an email with details of what this schedule plans to look like. Here’s what we know so far, according to the Oct. 10 email from the Office of the Provost.

What’s changing in Fall 2023:

• Studio classes are now shortened from six hours to five hours. Academic classes are now shortened from three hours to two hours and 45 minutes.
• The start of class times is now staggered. Morning academic classes start at 8:30 a.m. and go to 11:15 a.m., and morning studio classes begin at 9 a.m. and go until 3 p.m. with lunch between 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. These staggered times allow for one more academic class to be taught on Tuesdays and Thursdays (four classes in total offered) and for one more full, five-hour studio class to be taught on Tuesdays and Thursdays as well from 3:30 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.
• On Monday and Wednesday from 3:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., there will be “Open Time,” a time where students will presumably have studio access and work time for their homework. Some have speculated this will also be a time for student groups to connect.
• There will be no required Saturday classes, though departments can still opt to offer classes on Saturday.

What’s the same:

• For students who love a full day studio class, studios will still be offered from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Students will still have the opportunity to take a “split studio” class in the evenings. However, instead of running from 6  p.m. to 9 p.m., they will run from 6:45 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. and are only offered on Monday and Wednesday.

Why the schedule change? 

According to the email from the Office of the Provost, many students find a six-hour studio class to be too long, and five hours to be more suitable. Additionally, as more people enroll in SAIC, the school needs to find the most efficient way to use the space they currently have and believe these changes will be an effective way to use the space. More classes will be able to be offered in one day with hopes that this will lead to increased efficiency, according to the email.

Have thoughts on the Fall 2023 schedule change? Reach out to Teddie Bernard ([email protected]) by Nov. 10 to share your perspective for future F coverage of the Fall 2023 schedule change. Or fill out this form to share your response.