Collaborative Class Scheduling (CCS)

Collaborative Class Scheduling (CCS) is a set of customized pages in PeopleSoft Campus Solutions used to build the class schedule each term. Most academic departments have at least one class scheduler who is responsible for entering class information into the system. The data in CCS is available in real time for students, advisors and others to see using Class Search. 

Class schedulers must complete CCS online training and fill out an Access Request Form to gain access to the CCS scheduling pages to update classes.

Overview of CCS

Each term, class schedulers will follow the CCS production cycle to help them keep on track and allow OCM (Office of Classroom Management) time to assign general purpose classrooms (GPCs) to scheduled classes. The cycle is:

  1. Classes roll forward from like-term to like-term (e.g., Fall 23 to Fall 24, Spring 24 to Spring 25). 
  2. The CCS pages will open to class schedulers shortly after the roll forward for the initial build of the class schedule. 
  3. CCS then closes to allow for GPC assignments.
  4. CCS reopens for class schedulers to make final changes to classes before registration begins. 

Specific dates per term for the CCS production cycle are found on the production calendar.

Use CCS pages to update class information, including: 

  1. Add and cancel class sections
  2. Update dates and times of classes
  3. Assign instructors to sections
  4. Create waitlists
  5. Manage class permissions
  6. Set realistic enrollment capacities and requested room capacities.
  7. Adjust all non-standard classes to a standard time.
  8. Email ocmsched@umn.edu to add “ROOM TBA” or “NO ROOM REQD” to all meeting patterns that will not require a room assignment.

CCS and General Purpose Classroom Assignments

Most scheduled classes in CCS require a GPC.  To ensure a class will receive a GPC while CCS is closed and classroom assignments are being made, classes must use standard meeting times. 

Schedulers can also request specific classroom needs through room characteristics. Schedulers should select room characteristics required to facilitate teaching during CCS Initial Build:

  • No more than two room characteristics are advised.
  • Conflicting room characteristics will not be assigned a classroom (e.g., Active Learning Classrooms and Tablet Arm Chairs).
  • Room characteristics function as “AND,” not “OR.” 

If you have special requests that cannot be documented using CCS (e.g., disability requirements, instructors teaching back-to-back classes, etc.), please send an email to ocmsched@umn.edu.

Classes with non-standard meeting times that require general purpose classrooms will be assigned classrooms on a low priority/space availability basis. OCM cannot guarantee that these classes will be placed in a GPC.

CCS and Astra Academics

The class schedule is exported from CCS into Astra and is where GPC and departmental classrooms are assigned to academic classes. Astra is used only to update room assignments. All other updates to classes, such as changing meeting days and times and instructor assignments, are made in CCS. To place a class in a department classroom that you manage directly, do so in Astra Academics.  

More specific, comprehensive training and support is available on the Academic Support Resources website.

Additional Resources

  • To access CCS pages  in PeopleSoft, go to MyU > Key Links > PeopleSoft > Campus Solutions > Curriculum Management.
  • Class Schedule Summary report:
    •  Found in the Reporting Center: MyU > Key Links>  Reporting Center > Student Services > Course Scheduling
    • Use this report to review what rolled forward in the class schedule, and work with faculty and instructors to get updated class information for the upcoming term.
  • Review the class scheduling distribution summary to comply with the scheduling policy.
  • CCS User Guides are available to help with most scheduling processes.

Any Questions: email ocmsched@umn.edu.