Innovative scheduling to be implemented at University of Akron

Staff report

AKRON

University of Akron President Matthew J. Wilson recently announced the university will implement an innovative class schedule this fall to better prepare and serve students. It will enable students to focus on classes Monday through Thursday and then participate in practical, career-focused experiences on Friday. The university also will continue its weekend, online and evening scheduling.

The new initiative, composed of a Five Star Friday and Four Day-Core scheduling, will give students opportunities to participate in cooperative education, gain practical work experience and engage in internships, co-curricular activities, research, lab work, community service, advising, tutoring and more without worrying about scheduling conflicts. Students also will be encouraged to use Five-Star Fridays to attend special events, collaborate with faculty and peers and take advantage of expanded academic counseling, tutoring, career fairs and other career services. This will give students three days of concentrated time to prepare for classes, engage with study groups and participate in study and research.

This initiative has been discussed at college and administrative unit town-hall meetings on campus, at the university’s faculty senate and with the university council. A survey was conducted with approximately 5,000 responses, and conversations have taken place with dozens of high-school counselors and principals. Students support the Five-Star Fridays academic week.