This fall, the University extended passing times by five minutes, lengthening the standard gap between classes from 10 to 15 minutes.
“On Mondays and Wednesdays, I have four classes back-to-back-to-back-to-back,” Mark Brusasco ’28 told The Daily Princetonian. “So having that extra five minutes between class periods gives me another few minutes to go to the bathroom or grab a coffee and settle myself before class starts.”
The change, which was proposed on April 3 by the Faculty Committee on Classrooms and Schedule, was created to allow for easier transitions between classes. In a policy memo released in April 2024, former Dean of the College Jill Dolan wrote, “[O]ur campus has grown large enough that many of our students and faculty require additional time to move between their classes.” She also noted that “around 70 percent of undergraduates have at least one back-to-back course enrollment each term.”
So far, reactions have been largely positive.
Molecular biology professor Fred Hughson noted that the extra time has eased post-class discussions with students in his 158-person course. “I used to often ask students to meet me outside the lecture hall for questions, and they get impatient because I have to shut off my computer and so forth,” he said. “This way it’s just the thing that you would want: the students come to the front right after class … I can talk to them, it’s good.”
However, not everyone has noticed a significant difference.
“Honestly, I don’t think it’s that different from last year for my class,” said Kelly Noonan, a senior lecturer in the Economics department. “There’s people that come in at the last second, but that’s always been the case.”
“Even for quizzes and tests, it’s really hard to manage 300 people and be in and out of there before the next class starts, even with 15 minutes,” Noonan added.
“I don’t think I’ve been affected at all,” Jesse Barnes ’27 told the ‘Prince.’
Meanwhile, first-years — who have only experienced the new system — mentioned how they still have to bolt between classes. “I feel really rushed when it’s only 15 minutes in between,” said Miniya Malone ’29.
“I have one back-to-back and have never gotten to my lecture on time,” said Juliet Sims ’29.
When asked how they would be able to operate under the 10 minute passing time model, both Malone and Sims said they would “be screwed.”
Isaac Bernstein is a staff News writer for the ‘Prince.’ From Pittsburgh, Penn., he often covers academic departments, faculty research, and alumni news.
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