Wake Technical Community College is planning a four-day week for students and faculty during the Summer 2009 semester, with a corresponding four-day, 40-hour work week option for staff. The plan includes holding classes Monday through Thursday, while closing most buildings on Friday and Saturday. The schedule will save the college as much as $100,000 in decreased utilities, security and custodial services for the ten-week period from May 18 through July 31, 2009.

There are some exceptions: The Health Sciences Campus and the Western Wake Campus will remain on five-day schedules, as will some administrative offices on Main Campus. Vice presidents will have the authority to offer flexible 40-hour work schedules for staff, to accommodate those employees with concerns about child care or other potential scheduling conflicts.

"We see this as a win-win - for our college and our employees,"

says Dr. Stephen Scott, president of Wake Tech. "The college saves money during a difficult economic year, while employees - and students - enjoy longer weekends during the summer to spend with their families.

Everyone also gets the added benefit of reduced gas and transportation costs."

Despite the condensed schedule, Wake Tech will offer the same number of classes and serve the same number of students as last summer. Details of the plan are still being finalized.