Your Monthly Guide to Smarter Scheduling
March 2026
Spring is in the air!
It's finally March, which means we are halfway through the semester! It also means the start of spring and probably another foot of snow before winter is officially over.
This month is all about transition: preparing for midterms, planning ahead for summer and fall courses, and making the most of the resources that support teaching and learning across our classrooms. We’re excited to share updates, reminders, and opportunities designed to help you navigate this busy stretch with confidence and clarity.
If you are not receiving the newsletter by email but would like to, please contact classrooms@uiowa.edu to be added.
Highlights
- Dates and Deadlines
- Department Event Requests
- Evening Midterm Exam Needs
- Help Session Policies
- Summer Events
- Course Section Subtitles List Report
Upcoming Dates and Deadlines
Refer to the Classroom Scheduling Task List for more dates and details on monthly recurring tasks, organized according to the course and event scheduling timeline, along with helpful resources to support your work.
Spring 2026
- 3/15-3/22/26
Spring Break
Summer 2026
- 3/1/26
Summer event requests open for submission (confirmations will begin on Apr. 1) - 3/9-3/13/26
Early registration - 4/15/26-5/1/26
Final exam submission period
Fall 2026
- 2/9/26-4/3/26
Evening Midterm Exam Needs Submission Period for Early Registration - 4/13/26-5/1/26
Early registration
Winter 2026/27
- 4/6/26-6/5/26
Planner open to departments
Spring 2027
- 2/2/26-6/22/26
Planner open to departments
Scheduling Insights
Department Event Requests
University Classrooms are available for both scheduled courses and department‑supported academic activities, with established deadlines and processes to ensure efficient use of space and smooth instructional planning. The use of standard time-blocks for classes and events alike allows for greater flexibility in resources.
Department events may include course‑related activities, breakout or help sessions (limited to one per course), exams, meetings, faculty or staff work, research needs, and other routine university business.
All requests must be submitted through the Department Event Request Form and are reviewed on a first‑come, first‑served basis. Event requests for summer 2026 are currently being accepted and confirmations will be sent beginning April 1.
Throughout the month of March we are still gathering information on projects that may be happening in classrooms and buildings over the summer which delays our confirmations being sent out until April 1.
Evening Midterm Exam Needs
Classroom Scheduling is currently accepting requests to schedule university classroom spaces for fall 2026 evening midterm exams. Evening midterm exam needs requests open in MAUI on the day course offerings become available in MyUI.
Requests can be submitted at any time; however, requests will need to be submitted by Friday, April 3, 2026, to ensure this information is present in time for fall 2026 early registration. Evening midterm exam scheduling will begin after the deadline. The individuals submitting room request forms for evening exams will receive an email confirmation once their request has been processed.
Departments are encouraged to submit evening midterm exam requests as early as possible to increase the likelihood of securing preferred dates and times.
How To Submit
Exam requests are submitted online via the Exam Needs Tool in MAUI Offerings Planner, in a manner similar to the final exam needs submission process. Evening midterm exam submission instructions are located online.
Tips and Tricks
Help Session Policies
University Classrooms (UCRs) may be reserved by UI departments for help sessions: optional, secondary meeting times that are not listed on MyUI and provide students with additional assistance or guidance in coursework. Only departmental representatives may schedule help sessions in UCRs; individual students cannot secure these spaces.
Summer Events
Summer session event reservation submissions begin March 1. Confirmations will begin to be released on April 1.*
*University Classrooms are prioritized for First Year On Iowa! programming the week before the fall session begins. Classroom Scheduling anticipates scheduling events for this week beginning in mid-May.
Reports and Reminders
REPORTS:0101
This report lists all courses for a select session that have a section subtitle entered. The report can be sorted by course, course title, and subtitle. It is used to compare course titles to section subtitles to avoid duplication, check spelling and grammar, and manage how subtitles show in MyUI and students’ official transcripts.
Section subtitles can be added, updated, and removed at any time for current and future sessions. A daily change log is reviewed by the Office of the Registrar and in some cases, section subtitles will be updated, reformatted, or removed with an email notification to the department of the change. Additional information and guidance on section subtitles can be found in MAUI help; see Section Subtitles.
The Dean's List
Pets of the Month
Teresa is always spoiling Jax and Ava, who are thrilled to share the spotlight for the March pet of the month. Jax celebrates his birthday in March and is looking forward to getting more toys and treats, and yes, he will share them with Ava (not).
Do you have topic requests for future newsletters?
We would love to hear your suggestions!