Queen’s sends out survey that considers expanding classes to weekends

Queen’s is weighing the possibility weekend classes, sparking concerns over workload and scheduling.

In late February, teaching faculty at Queen’s, alongside teaching fellows and teaching assistants, were sent a survey considering the expansion of “the normal teaching day.” Five models of expansion were proposed, one of which involved expanding into evenings during weekdays, specifically from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and the other four of which involved expanding into mornings and evenings on Saturday and Sunday.

Respondents were asked how such timetable expansions could impact their quality of life and quality of service. The survey also asked if faculty would feel safe travelling to and walking on campus during extended hours, and if they would feel comfortable requesting scheduling accommodations if necessary.

In a written statement to The Journal, Vice-Provost (Teaching and Learning) Gavan Watson explained the University’s motivation for distributing the survey.

“Queen’s is experiencing sustained pressure on classroom capacity, particularly in large centrally scheduled teaching spaces,” Watson said.

Watson explained that the survey was sent out by the University Timetabling Committee, whose membership includes faculty, support staff, a student, and the University Registrar. He clarified that the survey was one step in a consultative process designed to gather information and claimed that any recommendation arising from the process will follow the procedures set out in collective agreements.

A statement released by the PSAC 901 expressed concerns that an expansion of teaching hours could affect working conditions, academic quality, and well-being. They claimed their members are already working beyond their capacity, and that extending irregular work hours is an excuse to avoid addressing the underlying structural issues driving classroom pressures, resource shortages, and hiring constraints.

In an interview with The Journal, PSAC 901’s Co-Lead Steward Yuanjin Xia discussed religious concerns, recognizing that expanding classes to weekends could affect the ability of Jewish students to keep Shabbat, or the ability of Christians to attend church, among other potential religious conflicts.

She explained that expanded timetables could also negatively affect students as part-time jobs and student clubs both tend to rely on weekends and weekday evenings in their scheduling.

“[I’m a teaching fellow, and] I did an informal survey of the students I’m teaching in my class,” Xia said. “There is a stereotype that Queen’s is predominantly for rich kids, but that’s not the case. Some undergraduates talked about worries over having to attend class on weekends because they had part-time jobs.”

Xia ultimately explained that rather than expanding the timetable, the University should address underlying structural issues by offering more small size classes and more teaching fellowships to graduate students.

Tags

schedule, timetable, Weekend classes

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