Walking from one side of campus to the other in 10 minutes can be difficult and with the intended addition of classes at Queens Hall, the former CUNY Law School building, the task could become even more difficult.
On Feb. 7, the Academic Senate voted on changes to the schedule matrix in order to ease the issues posed by having classes farther away. Among the changes are 15 minutes in between classes instead of 10, additional free hour days and earlier class start times.
Queens Hall is located at 6521 Main Street, behind the athletic fields and near John Bowne High School.
Sara Woolf, faculty member of the special education department, said the change is beneficial for both the students and the teachers.
“The teachers as well as students need to walk to the classrooms,” she said. “More time will also provide teachers and students with the opportunity to discuss things after class has ended without having to rush off to their next class.”
“This addition to free hour is great,” drama department professor, Meghan Healey, said. “It gives students extra opportunities to socialize both with each other and teachers and to go for what they’re passionate about.”
The changes are expected to take place starting Fall ’13. At the start of the semester, the morning block of classes will begin at 7:45 a.m. instead of 8 a.m., a Tuesday and Thursday free hour starting at 12:15 p.m. will be implemented and the afternoon block of classes will start at 1:40 p.m. and end at 4:25 p.m., with education seminars starting at 4:30 p.m.
According to Karamvir Singh, student association president, “This latest matrix schedule works well with the departments in terms of scheduling courses, rooms, etc.”
In discussing the challenges that will arise in adopting the new schedule, senator-at-large representative and Queens College student, Victoria Brown, remains optimistic: “This is only the start; there are a lot of positive changes happening.”
