Four Day Work Weeks: This Summer's Lessons-Learned

Quite a few colleges went to some version of s shortened work or class week this summer, generally as an experiment in saving energy costs. Writing in Inside Higher Ed, David Moltz shares what he learned from talking with some of the folks on campuses which tried this out in 2008. One campus actually created more service hours for students:

Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, La., adopted a shortened schedule that actually might have given its students more access to services. Typically, under the five-day workweek, university offices would be open from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., said President Randall Webb. Under the four-day workweek, Webb said the offices are open from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. As individual employees must have their shortened workweek approved by their supervisors and all are not eligible for or choose the same day off, the university now has its administrative doors open for a longer period during the business week and can serve it students even more. Even though some are working a shorter week, Webb said others at the university are working more than ever.