University of Minnesota  Administrative Policy

Enrolling in Overlapping or Back-to-back Classes

Policy Statement

Students are prohibited from enrolling in overlapping classes so they can fully attend their classes. Students are also prohibited from enrolling in Twin Cities campus back-to-back classes with insufficient travel time, which may lead them to consistently arrive late or to depart early. Students may request their instructors grant an exception to this policy. 

  1. Overlapping class times
    1. Classes with any common meeting time are considered to be overlapping.
    2. Students are not permitted to register for classes that overlap unless they obtain written (electronic) permission from all instructors involved.
    3. Instructors have discretion to approve or deny these student requests. Approval should generally be granted where students have extenuating circumstances such as needing to meet degree requirements.
  2. Enrollment in back-to-back classes [Twin Cities only]
    1. Students should not enroll in back-to-back classes when (1) the amount of time available for travel is less than 15 minutes if both classes are in Minneapolis (east or west bank) or (2) the amount of time available to travel between two classes is less than 30 minutes where one is in Minneapolis (east or west bank) and the other is in St. Paul.
    2. Students must obtain written (electronic) permission from all instructors involved in order to register for classes that do not meet these travel time requirements.
    3. Instructors have discretion to approve or deny these requests. Approval should generally be granted where students have extenuating circumstances such as needing to meet degree requirements.
  3. A student who fails to obtain the required approval and consistently arrives late or leaves early may face penalties in a class such as a reduced grade or deducted points for participation, at the discretion of the instructor.

Reason for Policy

Students consistently arriving late for a class or departing early can disrupt the teaching and learning process. Instructors may accommodate student-scheduling problems but are not required to do so.

Contacts

SubjectContactPhoneEmail
Primary Contact(s)Julie Selander612-625-6579[email protected]
Twin Cities Campus ProceduresJulie Selander612-625-6579[email protected]
Duluth Campus ProceduresTracey Bolen218-726-7520[email protected]
Crookston CampusJason Tangquist218-281-8424[email protected]
Morris CampusMarcus Muller320-589-6011[email protected]
Rochester CampusParry Telander507-258-8023[email protected]
Responsible Individuals
Responsible Officer Policy Owner Primary Contact
  • Executive Vice President and Provost
  • Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education
  • Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Education
  • Julie Selander
    Director Campus/College Level

Definitions

There are no definitions associated with this policy.

Responsibilities

Students

Seek approval prior to registering for any overlapping or any Twin Cities back-to-back classes.

Instructors

Review Class Time Conflict Approval Request forms from students in a timely manner to allow students to make registration decisions.

Related Information

There is no related information associated with this policy.

History

Amended:

May 2025 - Comprehensive Review:

  1.  Scope of policy expanded to include the Duluth campus.
  2. New FAQ text was added.
  3. Text was updated for consistency.
  4. Campus contact information updated.

Amended:

February 2021 - Comprehensive Review. 1. Improved the clarity of the statements, including clearly expressing student and instructor actions. 2. Added two FAQs to address common questions.

Amended:

December 2009 - Policy now applies to Crookston.

Effective:

April 2009