Scheduling Reboot FAQ
What class level does the re-boot apply to?
This effort is focused on all undergraduate courses (1000-5999). Graduate courses are not included in any of the calculations.
How are primetime courses defined?
Prime time is defined as classes with start times between 9 am and 1:59 pm. Courses that start before prime time are not counted in the CLSS calculation. For example, a class that starts at 8:35 am and ends at 9:25 am is not considered prime time. However, one that starts at 12:55 pm and ends at 1:45 pm is considered in prime time.
How are the statistics for courses in and outside prime time calculated?
Most of our courses follow MWF/MW or TR patterns. For the purposes of the calculation, we treat each section of a course independently. For example, a course that has a MWF lecture (10:45-11:35 am) with two discussion sections that occur at T 2:00 – 2:50 pm and F 9:40-10:30 am would each count as a single section. The total number of sections is three, of which two are in prime time. This logic is applied across all courses that have a meeting time (do not say “Does not meet”) in the class schedule. Classes in primetime are measured against all scheduled undergraduate sections within an individual subject code.
Do I have to calculate the statistics on my own?
No. We have prepared rules within the CLSS system to calculate how individual departments are meeting the metric. By running course validation, the system will identify the number of classes within a particular parameter (primetime, MWF primetime, TH primetime, outside primetime) and compare it to the total number of undergraduate courses offered within your subject code. Once the error message disappears in your validation, you have met the required metric and are able to proceed to submit your schedule to workflow when you are ready. Please view a video about how to validate your schedule (must have CLSS/Canvas access).
The calculations should be factoring with the following assumptions:
- Undergraduate courses only
- Auto-Linked Lecture and Lab sections are being counted separately (because they take up space and occur at separate times)
- Cross-Listed sections – only the parent section will count in the total. (If the parent is outside your department or a grad level course it will not count).
- Multiple-Meeting patterns- BOTH are counted, as they may have meetings and take up space in both categories. (If you have two patterns in prime-time it will give a count of two.)
How can I view courses in my heatmap that will be similar to the calculation?
Use the following filter, replacing dept with the subject code for your classes:
https://clss.utah.edu/wen/1264/dept/?ccac=%21NC%2CM%2CD%2CL%2CG&osu=dept&os=%21X%2CS%2CT&ofcc=MAIN%402202000000&mpaan=%21dnm%2Ctbd%2Cnotsched
dept must be listed in lower-case, examples: acctg, math, mktg, etc..
What are the different calculations for the reboot?
Spring 2026- no more than 50% inside primetime/at least 50% outside of primetime
Fall 2026 and beyond- no more than 30% MWF in primetime, no more than 30% TH in primetime, and a minimum of 40% outside of primetime.
Why do the calculations seem stricter for Spring 2026 than Fall 2026 (50/50 vs. 60/40 essentially)?
To ease departments into the schedule adjustments, it was determined that a 50/50 split would be a simple calculation and allow conversations about shifting the schedule to begin happening. The requirement to spread classes in primetime between MWF and TH would come in a subsequent semester. 50% allows a soft-roll out of the schedule spread.
Can we use the Fall 2026 goals in Spring 2026?
Yes. We set up the rules for Spring 2026 to be less strict. However, you are encouraged to look ahead and if it makes sense you may implement limits that are aligned with the Fall 2026 requirements early, which would include the primetime day split.
Can I schedule more courses outside prime time?
Yes. Our goal is to optimize the course schedule and on average we anticipate moving the institution to the 30% primetime MWF, 30% primetime TH, and 40% outside prime time (any day). You may schedule more than 40% outside prime time, but we will strictly enforce the no more than 30% in primetime split rule beginning Fall 2026.
What if we are using departmental spaces? Do the rules apply to me?
Yes. While some spaces are controlled by departments, students still come to campus and use common resources regardless of where their class takes place. Therefore, the rules apply and will be enforced in all spaces, whether they are centrally scheduled or not.
Can I schedule courses in time blocks that are not aligned with the University’s, as long as I follow the rules on primetime usage?
No. We are going to strictly enforce the standard scheduling blocks.
Another department is the controlling section for a class that is set with as a meets-with for one of my department classes. Will this class be included in my total counts?
No. Classes that are listed as meets-with will only be reflected in the counts for the controlling section department.
Does the required schedule distribution apply to the summer term?
No. Summer will not be calculated, but it is recommended that departments communicate with one another to avoid overlapping times for courses.
Do classes that are held off campus count in my total distributions (Herriman, Sandy, U Asia Campus)?
No. Only classes held on main campus will count in your statistics.
Are online classes reflected in my total counts?
No. Only classes with a listed day/time will be considered in looking at prime time schedule distribution.