Course scheduling for 2020-21

As part of its efforts to return to on-campus instruction in the fall, East Carolina University will adopt a block scheduling format for the Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 semesters. Please review block scheduling exceptions information released May 14.

Students will take the same number of courses, but instead of taking all their classes concurrently for the duration of the semester, the semester will be divided into two 8-week blocks. For example, a typical course load of five classes would include two classes in the first block and three in the second, or vice versa.

There will be minor changes to the registration process for new registrations and for students who want to make schedule changes. Students who have already registered for classes will have their existing schedules migrated to the new format for them.

The block scheduling format will allow us to be more flexible and nimble in our approach as we plan for fall classes and implement the necessary adaptations to keep our students, faculty and staff healthy and safe.

Administrators will work closely with faculty representatives to implement the new system. We realize that there will need to be exceptions for internships and other experiential learning opportunities, and for some classes that can’t convert to the block schedule.

The ECU coronavirus website is updated regularly to include evolving guidance for the university community.

Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do to help in the effort to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and to support each other during this challenging time.

-Grant Hayes, acting provost and senior vice chancellor for Academic Affairs