Tennessee State University, the historically Black educational institution in Nashville, has switched to a four-day class schedule for the spring semester. No classes will be held on Fridays. University offices will remain on a five-day work week.
As a result of the cancellation of Friday classes, students will attend class longer on Mondays and Wednesdays. Fifty minutes classes that were held three times a week, will now meet for an hour and 20 minutes on Monday and Wednesdays.
Mark Hardy, vice president for academic affairs, stated that the move is not designed so students can have longer weekends. The idea is to give students more time to meet with faculty outside of the classroom and conduct research. “This is an experiment for the spring semester,” Dr. Hardy said. “If we find it has no adverse impact on student performance and progression, we will continue it.”
Dr. Hardy joined the staff at Tennessee State in 2013. Previously, he was provost and vice president for academic affairs at Jackson State University in Mississippi. Dr. Hardy is a graduate of Jackson State University and holds a Ph.D. in biology from the University of Alabama.
