EVERETT — Everett Community College will close its doors on Fridays this summer in order to save money.
With a few exceptions, summer classes will last for 65 minutes four days a week instead of the regular 50-minute classes five days a week.
Employees will work four 10-hour days.
College officials last summer began discussing the possibility of a four-day workweek because of skyrocketing gas prices. Fuel costs dropped, but the four-day workweek idea remained appealing because of tough financial times, officials said.
“We will try it out and see how it goes,” said Jennifer Howard, EvCC’s vice president of administrative services.
EvCC will be open 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday from June 15 to Sept. 3.
“The college is making this change to save money,” Howard said.
Administrators estimate the schedule change will generate $24,000 in energy savings, $2,000 per week.
A survey among employees and students found solid support for the idea.
The majority of respondents said the advantages of an alternative work schedule would outweigh the disadvantages. Advantages included cost savings for the college, commute and gas savings and an additional day for students to work, study and play. Finding child care and working around part-time job schedules were concerns.
Several alternative schedules were considered, and the four 10-hour days option was one of the most popular among all the groups surveyed.
At least nine other community colleges across the state offered flexible schedules last summer. Some colleges had Fridays off; others closed at noon on Fridays.
Edmonds Community College has closed its doors at noon on Fridays for several years.
“We do it for cost savings and the flexibility around people’s summer schedules,” said Michelle Graves, an EdCC spokeswoman. “We can turn off our air conditioning.”
Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446, stevick@heraldnet.com.
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