Instead of 8.30am – 6.30pm timetables will now run from 9am – 6pm. There will be a need for some lectures and tutorials (particularly in the larger lecture halls) to run till 7pm.

The University have stated it's become more difficult to create effective timetables for students over the past few years, and with the St Matts move there is now an increased need to a) improve the quality of the timetable for all and b) increase the number of useable timetable slots.

The reasons why this change is being implemented are:

• An 08:30 start is unpopular with many students and staff. This means that a minimal number of teaching activities are scheduled in this slot.
• A 09:00 start means that this slot can now be fully used, not just when absolutely necessary, which will mean a better use of space.
• A 17:30-18:30 slot is also unpopular and again the number of teaching activities scheduled in this slot are kept to a minimum.
• An 18:00 finish is not perceived to be as difficult as an 18:30 finish, so the 17:00-18:00 slot becomes more useable and again, as a result, utilisation levels can be improved.
• An 18:00-19:00 slot will not be popular, but is the only anti-social slot of the ‘new’ teaching day as opposed to two unpopular slots – 08:30-09:30 and 17:30-18:30 – of the ‘old’ teaching day. The use of this 18:00-19:00 slot will be kept to an absolute minimum.
• The number of ‘usable’ timetable slots increases by 5 hours for each room. Across Frenchay Campus, which has some 280 teaching, lecture theatre, laboratory and specialist spaces, this quates to 1,400 more usable timetable slots.
• Discussions with a cross-section of students and staff would seem to indicate that this would be a positive step.

So, now the timetablers at UWE are gathering feedback from stakeholders as to potential issues this change could raise before it's fully implemented. This should mean a smooth transition come September (hopefully...good luck with that Colin!).

So yes, hopefully this change will mean more available rooms, better timetables for you guys and a smooth transition for the St Matts relocation...fingers crossed.

The University and UWESU have already consulted with students on the change and it was thought to be a positive step by both staff and students, hence why it is being implemented.

If there are any further comments regarding the changes to timetabling you would like me to feedback please let me know. You can email src.president@uwe.ac.uk or come up to 4F1 and talk to me about it.