Class Schedule Changes on Campus

Notable changes at San Jacinto College this school year include changes to class start and end times aimed at accommodating added instructional time.

Prior to this year, classes started on the hour, or the half hour.  For example, a class that began at 10 a.m. ended at 11:20 a.m.  Now, the same class would begin at 10:10 a.m. and end at 11:35 a.m.

Students and faculty at San Jacinto College have varying opinions on the new time changes.

Central campus student Dalyn Velazquez said students are not affected by the change; it is the faculty finding it difficult to adjust.

“I think it bothers the teachers more because my teachers complain about it; like for say when they have (to) start lecture and when class can be let out,” Velazquez said.

South campus student Stefan Persson said it is actually a positive change for the classroom.

“I think that the new class times are great because… it also gives the teacher more time to go over the lesson,” Persson said.

Central campus filmmaking professor William MacTavish said he is not affected by the new times.

“I’m kind of indifferent about the schedule change; I haven’t been a professor here at San Jac long enough to have gotten established in the old way. This is my second year as a full time professor, so I basically have one year under the old system, and now we’re starting a new system,” MacTavish said.

South campus Professor Jamie Zahradnik said the new times might be an effective tool for deterring tardiness.

“I do think that the change has been effective at preventing tardiness, at least for the one face to face class that I do teach. My class starts at 11:45 and lasts until 1:10.  11:45 is not necessarily a nice round number, but for some reason I have not experienced any tardiness from my students so far, which I appreciate because students who have taken my classes in the past, have struggled with tardiness,” Zahradnik said.

Furthermore, she said the extra class time class is beneficial for both faculty and students.

“… I then have 10 minutes to go over assignments, extra credit opportunities, and just generally take care of business with the last 10 minutes of class. I think this helps the students stay on top of their work and builds a better class environment for all of us,” Zahradnik said.