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The Information Commons classrooms and conference room are intended primarily as a research, development, and delivery facility for courses, labs, and other instructional sessions that:
-- make extensive use of interactive teaching/learning methods, multimedia, and other computer-based source materials;
-- emphasize information literacy and the integration of diverse health sciences information sources into research and learning.
The Commons classroom is intended to be used only when hands-on computer use is required for the scheduled session.
Scheduled classes have first priority for use of the classroom. Patrons working on machines in the classroom may be bumped if a scheduled class is due to take over the space. While a majority of classes will be scheduled well in advance of a given time slot, there exists a possibility that a class will meet with little or no notice to patrons using the space. Patrons using the classroom computers for individual purposes should check the posted classroom schedule and plan their sessions accordingly.
When a session is not meeting in the classroom, the classroom computers may be used as information workstations for computer-based learning, multimedia development, or electronic research and database searching.
No games of any kind are permitted in the classroom or Information Commons at large, including on-line interactive games such as MUDs, MOOS or any other multi-user games.
The instructor station is not to be used for general use by patrons, but may be used by a faculty member, staff member, or student in preparation for a class he/she is teaching. Prior to using the instructor station for such a purpose, the faculty member, staff member or student is required to identify himself/herself to an Information Commons staff member.
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Management of the Information Commons classroom is directed by the Head of the Information Commons and other designated staff of Hardin Library, and further, the University Libraries. A group identified as the Commons Classroom Advisory Committee was responsible for recommending to the Head of the Information Commons: hardware and instructional software to be used in the classroom; and scheduling arrangements for the classroom. This committee included representatives from the University Libraries, College of Medicine, College of Dentistry, College of Nursing, and College of Pharmacy. The committee met regularly prior to the opening of the facility, and is charged with meeting on an "as-needed" basis through June 30, 1998.
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III. PRIORITIES FOR SCHEDULING
During prime hours for classroom use (see HOURS and TIMES policy section), the College of Medicine will have use of the classroom for 34 hours per week (70%), the Hardin Library will have use of the classroom for 7.5 hours per week (15%), and the other Health Science Center units will have use of the classroom for 7.5 hours per week (15%). The College of Medicine and the Hardin Library will be guaranteed regular blocks of time during both morning and afternoon periods. This allocation of time will hold for the first year of operation, after which the time allocations can be adjusted pending approval by the Dean of the College of Medicine and the University Librarian. The classroom may be used for special programs other than normal course-related activities during normal operation hours when approved by the Head, Information Commons.
The priority for courses using the classroom is as follows:
1st --Any of the three major categories, which fall along the percentage breakdown as described:
a) Numbered courses. Formal academic sessions from the regular curricula of the College of Medicine taught for degree credit.
b) Courses or sessions sponsored by the University Libraries.
c) Numbered courses. Formal academic sessions from the regular curricula of Health Sciences colleges other than the College of Medicine.
2nd --Symposia, faculty development workshops, or special sessions offered for an audience of UI faculty, students, or staff that satisfy one of the following criteria:
a) are officially sponsored by academic departments or other official units or groups at the University of Iowa or University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics;
b) are taught by UI faculty, students, or staff
3rd --Sessions sponsored by UI academic departments or other official campus groups but whose audience is not primarily made up of UI faculty, students, or staff. This category includes, but is not limited to: continuing education courses, conferences or symposia, faculty development workshops, or other special groups.
These groups will be charged a fee for use of the classroom. This fee currently is $50 per hour or $250 per 8-hour day; the fee will be reviewed annually and is subject to change. University sponsorship must be confirmed by a letter from the appropriate dean, departmental executive officer, or other administrative officer. In general, these sessions may be scheduled only:
a) on weekends or evenings; or
b) during the summer or winter interim and summer term.
Approval of such sessions is contigent on availability of Commons staff support. Such sessions also should not be scheduled more than seven months in advance, and they will be scheduled only if they are unlikely to conflict with 1st and 2nd-priority requests.
The classroom is not available for:
-- Groups or individuals that are not part of or officially sponsored by the University of Iowa;
-- Sessions for UI faculty, students, or staff that charge a registration or other fee that exceeds the cost of handouts or other materials prepared for the attendees;
-- Thesis or dissertation defense sessions that do not require facilities or resources unique to the Information Commons;
-- Sessions for pre-college age students, except for special summer or interim programs that are officially sponsored by the University of Iowa.
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IV. HOURS AND TIMES FOR SCHEDULING
Every week when University classes are in regular session, the Commons classroom will be available for scheduled use from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday. Exceptions occasionally may be made in order to schedule sessions at other times, contingent on the availability of Information Commons staff and so long as such sessions do not meet in the Commons on a regular weekly basis.
In scheduling academic classes, preference will generally be given to classes that meet during the standard University class time slots.
No single group, class or individual may request the classroom for more than 20 hours within a period of five or fewer consecutive week days. Exceptions to this rule may be made if the instructor presents detailed documentation justifying the need for additional hours and if granting the exception will not unduly limit availability of the classroom for other users (including students requiring access to the classroom workstations for class assignments and for required independent learning and research).
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V. COMMONS STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES
Information Commons staff have the authority, and the responsibility, to clear out the classroom prior to a scheduled class&emdash;10 to 15 minutes prior to the anticipated start time if not already being used by a previous class session. When doing so, Commons staff should inform patrons that other computing resources are available to them, and refer patrons to computers not being used in the Commons at large.
Commons staff are also responsible for setting up the classroom with appropriate equipment before a class is to begin. If the room setup activities are anticipated to be complex or problematic, more time should be allowed by the instructor for staff to accomplish the room setup.
While a class is in session, a Commons staff member may assist an instructor if equipment or software difficulties arise. However, class and workshop instructors, faculty, or other individuals leading demonstrations in the classroom should not count on the availability of Commons staff to act as "floaters" to assist users in a class.
Instructors or faculty may request, three weeks in advance, that the Information Commons provide staff assistance specifically to support a scheduled classroom session. Such requests must be directed to the Head of the Information Commons. An advance request, however, does not guarantee approval and is contingent on staff availability.
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VI. RESPONSIBILITIES FOR INSTRUCTORS
Faculty, staff, or students scheduled to use the classroom as a instructor are required to attend a training session on how to properly use the Instructor Station at least five days in advance of their scheduled session.
It is the instructor's responsibility to request special equipment be provided, configured, and working in advance of a class session. Instructors must not assume that Information Commons staff can provide such equipment without reasonable notice, however staff will attempt to address such requests and provide the best possible service.
It is the instructor's responsibility to negotiate for or request, in advance, that Commons staff be available for ongoing assistance or troubleshooting during a class session. Instructors must not assume that Commons staff will be free to act as "floaters" during a class session. Again, any advance requests for staff assistance can be directed to the Head of the Information Commons.
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Approved by the Information Commons Advisory Committee - 10/8/96
