Under-used campus buildings have caused Ball State University administrators to consider scheduling more Friday classes.
Associate Provost Marilyn Buck said the administration was still investigating how often buildings were being used. She said many buildings were used for more than classrooms.
"It's not like there are no Friday classes," Buck said.
There are some classes that are three credit hours and scheduled for Mondays and Wednesdays. The university would reschedule these classes on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. She said the move would show legislatures why Ball State would need more facilities.
"Why would you ask for more if you aren't using what you have?" Buck said.
The scheduling issue with Monday and Wednesday classes is scattered throughout the university.
"Some colleges had more instances than others," Buck said. "College size affects this."
Some faculty members don't see the move to Friday classes being very efficient.
Journalism instructor Dick Shoemaker said the rescheduling would be a "zero sum game."
Moving classes to three days a week would use more energy to heat the buildings and it would also take more energy for the students and faculty to get to campus and classes, he said.
"Class time doesn't increase but the days increase," Shoemaker said. "It's not really a green strategy."
He said a good strategy would be to open classes and administrative buildings four days a week and turn down the temperature Fridays.
Shoemaker also said it was easier for him to deliver his message academically in a longer period of time.
"I know we want to be good stewards of our buildings," Shoemaker said. "But there is a better way to deliver the message."
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