NGCSU going to 4-day-a-week summer schedule

DAHLONEGA - In an effort to reduce costs and meet continued state budget cuts, North Georgia College & State University will implement a campus-wide four-day schedule this summer.

The summer schedule, which begins May 4 and ends Aug. 7, will primarily affect office hours and support services. Offices will be staffed 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays.

For students, the change will have a minimal impact as the university’s summer schedule traditionally requires very few Friday classes. However, the university’s previously published exam schedule for students will not change, and, in some cases, an exam may occur on a Friday.

The altered schedule will allow the university to close 13 buildings for three consecutive days at the end of each week, reducing energy consumption and utility costs by an estimated $30,000.

“The university is actively exploring opportunities to reduce operating expenses without impacting the quality of academic programs,” said Brenda Findley, associate vice president for administration and director of human resources. “We anticipate significant savings by implementing a Monday through Thursday summer work week.”

As an added benefit, the summer schedule will allow many students and employees who commute to the university to spend less on gasoline, Findley said.

In the summer of 2008, when high gasoline costs were driving up commuting expenses, North Georgia allowed employees to work four extended days, rather than a traditional five-day week.

Those departments or offices that have responsibilities that require staffing every day will operate on a flexible schedule, as determined by managers in those areas.