Metropolitan State University of Denver’s Student Affairs division will pilot Community Hour scheduling, which aims to strengthen events, activities and services Mondays through Thursdays from 12:30-1:45 p.m in fall 2023. In direct alignment with the University’s 2030 Strategic Plan pillar of student access, service and achievement, the modified approach seeks to increase student engagement in co-curricular programs and services, a proven strategy to support student academic success, retention and completion.   

While the original proposal shared with various shared governance bodies has not been adopted, many stakeholders across campus saw a need to invest in student engagement. This refined approach will allow departments interested in creating space for students to engage to do so without mandating scheduling changes wholesale. The fall 2023 pilot will be rigorously assessed and inform future decision-making and planning.

A proven strategy for increasing engagement and retention

Many higher-education institutions, including commuter colleges, have successfully implemented Community Hours or similar schedules explicitly designed to increase student and community involvement. These include California State University, Dominguez Hills; Cal Poly; California State University, San Marcos; St. Thomas University; the University of Baltimore; the City University of New York John Jay College; and the State University of New York Westchester Community College. While applied differently across institutions, the common element is a commitment by students, faculty members and administrators to intentionally carve out one to two hours during the academic week for co-curricular learning and engagement.

Modifying MSU Denver’s Community Hour 

Throughout the fall semester, the Student Affairs team met with many members of the Auraria Campus and Roadrunner community to solicit feedback on a proposal to create a Universitywide Community Hour for students. With the goal of allowing all Roadrunners time to engage in activities, events and academic and business services, Community Hour is traditionally a period during which no classes are scheduled.   

Though the initiative had wide interest and support, serious concerns were raised around tri-institutional academic-calendar implications, special lab-space scheduling and unintended consequences for programs with more focused schedules, which led leaders to redesign the program. 

Opt in to participate in Community Hour 

Based on this feedback, MSU Denver’s pilot Community Hour will create spaces where departments that are interested in joining this movement may opt-in to do so. Student Affairs will move toward focusing events, activities and services Mondays through Thursdays from 12:30-1:45 p.m. during the fall 2023. Data and feedback will be collected and reviewed as this emerging strategy is piloted.

Departments that are interested in this exciting pilot opportunity can contact Emily Willan, director of Operations and Planning for Student Affairs. This could include creating departmental Community Hours, joining Student Affairs’ events work or supporting messaging to students. 

Together, we will continue creating opportunities for students to engage at the University, study what works and reimagine what’s possible for an urban commuter institution in the service of our students and their goals.