Officials: four day week saved nearly $800,000

 
Southern University administrative officials, and students discussed the almost $800,000 savings in utilities alone and from campus closure on Fridays.
During the fall of 2011, Southern University decided to do away with Friday classes for the next semester with the anticipation of savings from the expenditure bottom line.
Flandus McClinton, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, spoke on the amount saved in utilities in comparison with previous years.
“$786,935 was saved from January 1, 2011 to June 30, 2011 compared to January 1, 2012 to June 30, 2012 in utilities alone,” McClinton said.
He said there wasn’t a known exact amount saved in teacher pay from eliminating Friday classes during the Spring 2012.
Ella Kelley, Interim Associate Provost and dean of the Honors College, said, “1.2 million was saved with respect to faculty furloughs to the university.”
She said there was a 10 percent reduction for the Spring 2012 semester and academic year.
James Llorens, Southern University chancellor, spoke on the savings of this period.
“It’s hard to quantify exactly the cost of it, but there were significant decreases in utility costs,” Llorens said.
He said the efficiency in LED lighting in a couple of buildings played a large role in decreasing utility costs.
When it came to talks of reinstating classes on Fridays, Llorens thinks further research is still needed.
“It’s something that will be open for some discussion because some like the four-day, but some faculty would like to go back to five-day class periods,” Llorens said.
He said the original intent of it was to provide cost-savings, however the positive and negative academic outcomes need to be studied.
“Does it provide more period for learning opportunity and discussion?” Llorens asked.
He said this question needs to be raised for further decision on future changes.
“The argument made by professors is that they would fall behind if they have one exam day in a week,” Llorens said.
He said the extra day gives students opportunity to use that day for research, homework, and study.
“It is obvious the schedule will not be changed for spring semester,” Llorens said.
He said the university is using other methods to balance budget such as reducing expenditures, increasing revenues in academics, and schools.
“We will be reducing deans of schools, chairs of departments, and renewing effort in enrollment, and increasing online degree programs,” Llorens said.  
Llorens said some of the changes will start being implemented in Spring 2013.
Bernard Green, sophomore therapeutic recreation major from Baton Rouge, approved of the four-day week.
“I’m enjoying it, I get a chance to work and do business,” Green said.
However, he said the five-day schedule should be implemented because it will help students get hours faster, and by not having that extra day they’re losing hours.
Desmond Ford, senior criminal justice from Baton Rouge, thinks the four-day week is working for him.
“The four-day week gives me more time to make up work and speak with professors,” Ford said. He said it eliminates the cost for running buildings, and saving money is the best way to go.