$ave money by reducing the work week

One way that more and more colleges have restructured to save money is by reducing the length of their work week. My college, Mid-South Community College, is one of them. In the summers, we’re only open 4 days (Monday-Thursday). All full-time employees work 4 ten-hour days, instead of 5 eight-hour days. There are no classes or events scheduled on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday during the summer. This helps to save money by keeping the campus open 20% less, which results in 20% less energy costs. The buildings are not cooled, no computers are active, lights are off, etc. on the 3-day weekend.

This policy at MSCC started back when gasoline costs were astronomical. The college president originally phrased the proposal as a way for employees to save their own money by commuting one day less per week. Gasoline costs are a little more than half of its price then, so this is not as much of an issue as it once was. Regardless, it does help to save costs for both for the individual and the institution.

As one of the full-time employees, I can say I LOVE the schedule. I think most of my co-workers agree. There’s really not that much different working 7:30AM-6PM than 8AM-4:30PM. Once you’re at work you really don’t notice staying around an extra two hours. The only discontent that I’ve heard are rumors that a few older people really dislike it because they get tired in the later afternoons.

Colleges are not the only offices where this occurs. The local Water Department office in my small town is only open Monday-Thursday. I’m sure there are others.


Sources
Mangan, Katherine. (May 21, 2008). Longer Days and Darker Nights as Colleges Adjust to Soaring Energy Costs. Retrieved October 19, 2009 from http://chronicle.com/article/Longer-DaysDarker-Nights/818