Regina Kent
Published: October 11, 2006
Starting in January, PJC students at all locations will have the opportunity to enjoy three day weekends, every weekend. Instead of 50 minute Monday, Wednesday, Friday classes, students will have the opportunity to take 90 minute Monday and Wednesday classes.
“We realized before Ivan and Dennis hit that a majority of our students were working at least part time. After the hurricanes, more students had to start working and dropped out of school. This schedule will, hopefully, allow more flexibility between work and classes,” said Dr. David Sam, Vice President of Academic Affairs.
“Many of our students have jobs at hotels and other places that need more workers on weekends,” Sam said. “This will help them open their availability.”
The first classes will begin at 7:30 a.m. instead of the current 8 a.m. scheduling.
“We debated various start times before settling on one. We discussed 7:00, 7:30 and 8 a.m., but came to a decision on 7:30 a.m. If this doesn’t work, we can change the first class time for summer semester,” Dr. Sam said.
Mike Buffington, 20, feels that the new schedule will work out fine for his spring courses.
“I really like this change,” Buffington said. “Yeah, it’s early in the morning, but that just means I can get out sooner. And I don’t have to be at PJC so many days.”
“One good thing about this schedule change is that this is how UWF schedules their classes,” said Sam McLean, 20. “This is going to provide an easier adjustment from high school to university life. On the other hand, longer classes could lead to more skipped classes.”
But not all students are as excited about this change. Sarah Gauche, 19, said, “I have a hard enough time paying attention in some of my 50 minute classes, I don’t know how I’m going to be able to stay focused in four 90 minute classes.”
Students who work during the weekdays will still have options for classes. Night classes have not changed scheduling. Friday lectures and weekend classes will also be available. Another option for students with difficult work schedules will be online and hybrid classes.
“Our long term goal for PJC schedules is that classes will be guaranteed once students have signed up for them,” Dr. Sam said. “This schedule change is the first step towards this goal.”