St. Ambrose University is already preparing for next year and confronting current issues with the class offerings. 

The Calendar Committee at SAU is looking for input from faculty, staff and students on a modification of class offerings. On November 15 and 16, the committee opened up forums for the campus to share opinions on these proposed changes.

 “Really what the new schedule is focused on trying to be as student friendly as possible one, and number two opening up different opportunities,” Michael Cirpiano, Associate Professor of Accounting, said.

These changes would include the number of offerings on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from the current three classes a semester to five classes. Balancing out the class offerings offered throughout the week to 10 instead of 8, which was changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After outlining the plan to the attendees, the students, faculty and staff in attendance had a chance to voice approval or criticism for the proposed class plan.

“I guess I’m curious why does everything start on the hour, could it start on the half hour,” Keri Manning, a history professor, said. “I’m kind of concerned about the loss of the 9:30 to 10:45 slot on Tuesdays and Thursdays.”

For students who attended, they were also allowed to share their opinions on the new class schedule. As the only student who attended the forum, Taylor Kilgus had this to say about the new proposal.

“While I understand the benefits, and that the new schedule was developed to more benefit first and second year students, I worry some considerations from upperclassmen were disregarded,” Kilgus said. 

Concluding the open forums, a campus-wide email was sent out to encourage those unable to attend to still have a voice in how classes are structured. The Calendar Committee wants people to know this plan hasn’t officially been implemented yet, and won’t be until the fall 2024 term.