Reporter
CSU Bakersfield is considering including a “University Hour” on campus. Brian Street, a member of the budget and planning committee at CSUB, says that this hour would be “set aside for no classes to be scheduled to give students and faculty an opportunity to have meetings without conflict.”
Although including this free hour with the necessary time needed for class instruction can be difficult, Street believes that “there are plenty of smart individuals on the CSUB campus that could make… nearly anything possible.”
Street states that he has spoken with other campuses that have attempted including a “University Hour” within their schools and “each have seen it possible.” In saying this, he mentions that CSUB is “still trying to see if it is possible for us.”
Cal State East Bay is one of many universities across the country that has implemented a “University Hour,” and student response has been positive.
Street states that a “University Hour” “will impact the teaching of the entire campus.” This is because many changes will be needed in order to allot this extra hour within staff and students’ hectic school and work schedules.
This “University Hour” would ultimately “remove an hour of lecture and lab time from a normal academic day.” Street says that in order to compensate for this hour, “classes would start an hour earlier or end an hour later (or a combination thereof).”
Overall, Street believes that this hour would be “a clear benefit across campus.” He states that this allotted time would allow for more “co-curricular activities, student and club events, as well as general university events.” He believes that engagement in such events “can have a positive impact on students and the campus.”
English major Thomas Riker says that if the “University Hour” is implemented, “it should be done experimentally” through a “trial period.” Riker states that allowing this “trial period” would help prove “if it is actually helping students in the big picture or becoming a detriment by taking away valuable class or study time.”
Aaron Wan, Assistant Vice President of Campus Life, says that a “blueprint” for a university hour is already in progress at CSUB. It is called Runner Hour, and it is a time of the day in which entertainment such as music and games are provided outside of the Student Union.
Classes are still held during Runner Hour, but students can expect “University Hour” to have similar activities, with the added luxury of a break from class. Wan says the events held during Runner Hour have been proven effective and that he has seen groups of students meet, bond, and “exchange numbers” during this time.
Wan states that Runner Hour has allowed for some CSUB students to showcase their own original music by performing with their bands in front of the Student Union. He hopes to eventually be allotted this hour and include even more “vendors and bands.”
Wan says he’s currently seeing a lot of student and staff interaction, but “only behind closed doors.” He believes that this specific time for staff and students to interact is “definitely important,” and hopes allowing this free hour will help students to live “the full college life experience.”
