The Phantom Time Slot

At the beginning of the Fall 2024 Semester, students enrolled in the morning section of the course “Global History to 1500” received a surprising email. They were notified that the course time slot and location had been changed.

It is no secret that, due to different factors, course time slots do tend to change on occasion. The course was moved from 9:00-10:20 a.m. in BAC to 7:30-8:50 p.m. in the Main Building. What initially raised an eyebrow in this particular case was the new time slot that was announced. This was unusual to many students as this was not a time slot that used to be occupied by a similar course.  

Many questions started to circle around - is this time slot a new policy? Will it continue? Are students going to see more courses taking place during this time slot, given the increasing student body?

The Dean of Faculty, Robert White, explained that this is not new and has been on the course schedule for over twenty years.

“We have two evening time slots that are seldom used: Monday, Wednesday at 7:30-8:50 p.m., and Tuesday, Thursday at 7:30-8:50 p.m.,” said Dean White. “The AUBG Choir has used the Tuesday, Thursday slot for many years.”

Dean White continued that, perhaps, most students are not aware of these slots because they are rarely used. “Generally, the only occasions they are used are for the Choir and when we have an adjunct who cannot teach during the regular teaching hours due to other commitments,” he elaborated.

When asked about future plans for this time slot, Dean White explained that he does not expect more courses to be scheduled for it. He shared that the increasing number of students accepted will mean more 9 a.m. lectures and Friday classes.

The reception towards this time slot has been somewhat mixed. Richard Barkhuizen, a second-year student who is currently taking the 7:30 p.m. section of “Global History to 1500” describes the atmosphere as a “graveyard shift.”

“Knowing your day is not over, the colder weather does add more difficulty attending the class,” he said. Richard elaborated that the class is very laid-back, so there is a sense of balance.

Third-year student Boris Slavchev previously enrolled himself in the 9 a.m. section of the same course, but immediately dropped it after the time slot was changed. “I find it to be quite an inconvenience to go to the Main Building that late in the day since I am already very tired,” he said.

Simeona Kroteva, a second-year student, has been a part of the AUBG Choir for a third semester now, and shares that she quite enjoys it and does not really mind the late nature of this time slot. “The only thing that is a bit frustrating is that a lot of events and club meetings take place during that same time,” she said. “Sometimes I am forced to make compromises in order to balance my schedule.”

 

Edited by:

David Mitov

Niya Manditsch