11 a.m. Class Conflict

Photo Illustration by: Ashley Alonzo

The classes at 11 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays are definitely a #HotTopic on campus lately: Who will win? The students’ uproar about this inconvenience or the administration’s need to fulfill their agendas? Read below to find out.

Ottawa University had kept the tradition of not scheduling classes at 11 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays with the purpose of giving all student organizations an agreed-upon time to meet. Moreover, the 11 a.m. Thursday time slot has always been destined for chapel. This year, however, things seem to have changed, and students and faculty are not relishing it.

“The immediate impact I noticed this semester with the Tuesday/Thursday 11 a.m. class was students’ availability to attend student organization meetings on Tuesdays, and weekly chapel on Thursdays,” says Briley Rivers, Director of Campus Ministries at OU. “I have spoken with several students who would like not only to attend but to participate in chapel. Obviously they are unable to do so.”

Rivers also states that this schedule change is affecting OU Student Senate meetings since it had to be moved to Sunday nights; not only does it inconvenience senators and executive board members but also staff and faculty members who are advisers for the organization.

“Especially those with children or traveling from out of town to attend,” Rivers says.

Although this class appears to reveal all the thoughts and comments our students have been having for years now, it is important to highlight that athletic teams in the past did not adhere to this tradition either. Many sports held mandatory meetings during these times inhibiting the students ability to attend chapel and other meetings. Rivers believes that if this tradition is not a policy, it should be made one to avoid this kind of issues and our students agree with him.

Jessica Babler, junior, had a major conflict with this schedule change that is negatively affecting her GPA.

“I had known that I was on the executive board of student senate, and I had to take physics in order to graduate. After talking to (Dean of Instruction) Teresa Kelley several times, I realized I had no other option than to take a more advanced level of physics. As an individual who does well in school, I took it as a challenge, but I find myself having high anxiety over quizzes, tests and even homework because the material is taught for engineers as a refresher course, not an introductory physics course. I feel my GPA will suffer due to the schedule arrangement. I shouldn't have to pick between being a leader and picking courses for myself,” Babler says.

Not only has this schedule change affected students on an academic level, but it has also affected their faith development, “The Tuesday/Thursday 11 a.m. hours has affected my academic, co-curricular and faith journey this year. … These activities help me fulfill portions of the OU mission statement of building a 'life of significance' and being a member of a 'Christ-centered community.' However, I have been forced to choose between my academic growth and my spiritual growth this year due to the University allowing class at this time,” says Kaylee Asher, junior, student body president.

Asher also believes that if Ottawa University wants the values stated on their mission to remain consistent with their actions, then this issue must not repeat in the future.

“They need to start respecting and enforcing these times of worship and student involvement,” she says.

The administration was still to address the issue until Dr. Kelley issued the following statement for The Campus: “The administration at Ottawa University respects the tradition of not scheduling classes at the 11 a.m. hour on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It is a tradition that we plan to maintain in the future.  Unfortunately, this semester utilizing this time for classes was unavoidable, but a reconfiguration of lab scheduling should prevent it from occurring again.  We thank the students for their patience and interest in active engagement with chapel, student organization meetings and other activities traditionally scheduled at this time.”

Faculty, staff and students are concerned by this change; unfortunately, it is clear that it will not change this semester. Therefore, students and faculty are left with only one option: wait and hope this conflict does not occur again.

As junior, Alexander Kincaid, says, “The change of this policy has caused a lot of avoidable problems.”