Principles of Timetabling

Definition

A coordination of people, courses and physical space, within a defined period of time.

Principles

An effective timetable involves adherence to the designated time scheme, meaning that:

• All courses held within the time period covered by the slot system should conform to the slot system.
• Instructors should honour the approved slot system by timely commencement and termination of classes.
• All slots are considered equally in the timetabling process.

People

Instructor

Definition

All those individuals involved in teaching all or part of a course.

Principles

• The timetable must not conflict with an instructor's other teaching assignments.
• Persons with disabilities shall be accommodated in any timetable matters up to the point of undue hardship for the University.
• To the extent that circumstances permit, the timetable should take into account personal circumstances (such as childcare, elder care, commuting, etc.). Unit heads should endeavour to see that any such arrangements are distributed equitably across the faculty members in their unit.
• To the extent that circumstances permit, the timetable should allow for discrete/continuous blocks of time for research.
• Other instructor preferences should be accommodated if possible.
• All timetabling arrangements for faculty must conform to the terms of the collective agreement.
• To the extent to which it is possible, the pedagogical needs of a course should determine the type of time slot used or assigned.

Students

Definition

Individuals enrolled in a course for credit, part-time or full-time

Principles

• Persons with disabilities shall be accommodated in any timetable matters up to the point of undue hardship for the University.
• To the extent to which it is possible, the timetable should facilitate the widest range of program selections within each Faculty.
• To the extent that it is possible, the timetable should allow for organized on-campus extra curricular activities.
• The timetable should provide a designated amount of time to move between classes.

Course Selections

Individual course sections

Core

The timetable should avoid conflicts among concentration courses necessary for the completion of a program of study at Queen's. This principle is of paramount importance and should supercede the attempt to avoid conflicts among elective courses

Elective

Whenever possible, the timetable should facilitate the availability of the widest range of elective courses for students. It is understood, however, that the number of elective possibilities offered in any year makes this aim difficult to achieve

Physical Space

• The inventory of physical space (i.e., class and lab space) and the classroom assignment process should meet the pedagogical needs of instructors.
• The timetable should optimize space utilization.

November 27, 2001 (Final)