University of Utah students protest recently announced changes to class scheduling

University of Utah students are using social media and an online petition to call for the reversal of a recently announced new course scheduling initiative.

Their complaint?

Many students argue that the fast-approaching changes — which will schedule a sizable number of classes outside of “prime-time hours” — will hinder their ability to take their classes at traditional hours and stay on course to graduate.

“The university has failed its students by going through with this policy without our input,” said student Eric Sheffer, a senior majoring in management.

Beginning in the spring 2026 semester, no more than half the classes offered at the University of Utah will be scheduled during the “prime-time hours” of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

And by fall 2026 and beyond, no more than 30% of classes will be scheduled during prime-time hours, Monday-Friday.

A university email sent to students said the initiative is designed to reduce uneven distributions of classes and course bottlenecks — while also shortening time to graduation, easing congestion in course and space planning and, tangentially, parking.

In an online letter announcing the class scheduling changes, school provost Mitzi Montoya said the changes were prompted by a university analysis of courses scheduled across campus.

“We found that the majority of courses are scheduled between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., especially on Tuesdays and Thursdays,” wrote Montoya.

“Meanwhile, early morning hours, late afternoons and Mondays and Fridays are significantly underused. In fact, Monday/Wednesday/Friday course formats are often bypassed altogether.

“This uneven distribution of classes is a problem that holds us back and negatively impacts our students.”

“Smarter scheduling,” added Montoya, “supports student success, strengthens academic outcomes and helps us use our resources more wisely.”

FAQ: Addressing student concerns prompted by the schedule changes

Responding to questions and concerns about the course scheduling initiative, the university posted a FAQ page.

Courses on campus, according to the page, have become concentrated during peak times during the week, usually Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

That’s likely to be expected. It’s often the most convenient time for students to stack their classes — then head off to work, a research lab or extracurriculars.

“The problem with this schedule is that it impacts student success,” the page noted.

“It’s a struggle to find enough classroom space, which means many required courses only offer one section per semester — and all these one-section courses are often offered at the exact same time.

“That delays graduation and adds to student debt — and fewer course options makes balancing work or family commitments harder. By spreading classes more evenly across the week, we reduce conflicts and give students more scheduling flexibility.”

The university’s student body is growing, and many students are trying to get into limited course offerings. That can lead to bottlenecks — meaning certain required courses are offered only once a semester or once a year, according to the university FAQ sheet.

“Unfortunately, that often means that many students must stay in school longer to complete their degrees.

“If we spread out the schedule, we can offer more sections of courses on a more regular basis — so you’ll be able to take the classes you need each semester.”

The FAQ page goes on to say that academic affairs planners do not expect any significant increase in classes after 4 p.m.

“There will be more classes scheduled on a Monday-Wednesday-Friday schedule, and more course offerings in the afternoon.

“However, you should not expect to take night classes unless that’s something you were already interested in. We’re simply spreading things out so that you can find an equal number of courses every day between Monday and Friday rather than having them all on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The FAQ page also noted that during the spring 2025 semester, the university offered just over 3,500 courses — with approximately 1,900 scheduled during prime times and 1,600 during off-peak times.

“If this change had been implemented during that semester, approximately 5% of courses, or a few hundred classes, would have shifted to non-prime times.”

Parking: An age-old challenge at the University of Utah

While many students argue the bottlenecks are primarily about parking, university leadership says the issue goes beyond managing limited parking spaces.

“It’s true that when all courses take place in the same narrow window of time, that places stress on infrastructure (including parking),” according to the FAQ page

“(But) the real driver is student success. Better scheduling helps students complete their degrees on time, which reduces tuition costs and allows them to enter the workforce sooner.”

The recent email to students echoed the message that the scheduling initiative is not primarily focused on alleviating parking challenges — but improving student success.

“We understand student life is busy and complex,” the email added. “You are pursuing a degree and scheduling classes around work, extracurricular activities, sports and family time. With this scheduling project, students will retain complete control over what courses they take and how they organize their schedules. It optimizes the overall university course schedule, in effect providing more choices by removing scheduling overlaps.

The spring 2026 semester schedule will be posted online on Sept. 22.

“We hope you will see some of these positive changes reflected as you begin to register for next semester — including more flexibility and open spots for your required general education and degree-specific courses,” the email said.

Online petition: Thousands call for a reversal of the scheduling changes

More than 6,400 people have signed an online petition calling for the reversal of the university’s course scheduling initiative.

“The recent decision by the University of Utah to alter class schedules to mitigate parking congestion is misguided and overlooks viable alternatives that would better serve the needs of students, faculty, and staff,” the petition states.

Classes held at traditional times are popular because they align with students’ “peak productivity hours and accommodate various schedules — including work and family commitments,” the petition adds.

“The abrupt shift away from this scheduling has placed undue strain on the student body, leading to disruptions in not only academic performance but also in personal and professional life management.

It’s an approach that merely shifts the parking problem onto students rather than addressing it at its core.”

The petition goes on to say that the university should be focusing on infrastructure enhancements “such as building more parking structures or investing in green transportation alternatives to alleviate parking overflow.”

Several people added comments to the online petition.

“This is a terrible change for students with a life outside of school, and especially for those who need jobs to afford anything,” wrote a commenter identified as Miles.

“Creating more class sections doesn’t matter if students can’t take them.”

“This isn’t about improving student success,” wrote Chris. “It takes away options.

“Commuting students will now have to be on campus longer. Students won’t be able to hold a job and go to school. It’s an illogical and reckless decision. Please rescind the proposal.”

Rallying on campus against policy

A handful of University of Utah students gathered Tuesday outside the school’s Marriott Library to express frustration with the announced schedule changes.

Besides reversing the scheduling policy immediately, Sheffer said the university should form a student-led advisory committee to play “an active role in fixing the parking problem.”

Sheffer also challenged assurances that the university’s updated scheduling policy would provide greater flexibility.

“This does the opposite because you have to choose between either taking more late afternoon and evening classes and not being able to do your job — or you can do your job and risk potentially delaying graduation.”

Grace Jones, a freshman studying psychology, works two part-time jobs and is involved in other community service activities

“This (policy) is stressful for me because I specifically plan my days in order to be at school on Tuesdays and Thursdays,” said Jones.

“Then I can do other activities outside of that, maintain my homework and my grades — and also work so I can make enough money to be here.”

Jones added she arrives on campus before 9 a.m. to secure a parking spot.