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[octoprof]

Most of my career, including a long stint at a party school, I have taught Tuesdays and Thursdays for 75 each (for each course).  One semester there I taught MWF (I don't remember why). Friday classes (upper level in the major) were not well attended. Of course, that didn't change how I taught it since it was the student's decision to show up or not. But, since this was a notorious party school with a big Greek system, I figured they were all too hung over from Thursday night.

On the other hand, I have taught 8am classes most of my career (including most of my time at the aforementioned uni) and had no more trouble with attendance in those courses than in my 9:30am classes or my 4:00 pm classes. In fact, the 4pm classes might be worse.

I teach 8am every semester now because we have a shortage of classroom space and I don't mind early mornings and most of my colleagues do mind them.

[mythbuster]

I did my undergrad at an Ivy-esque school. In intro chem, Friday was when you had the weekly quiz. So on Thursday night, you would head to the grad student run weekly review session for the quiz, and then out to the kegs at the frat parties. They also tested out having all Freshman comp at 8am since the time slot was unpopular and quickly learned that it was a VERY bad idea.
  At my current institution the campus is noticeably more empty on Fridays, but by no means deserted. I can see no Friday classes happening more at residential campuses where students don't have to schedule around work etc. I do prefer 75 min classes for the more advanced classes, but stick to 50 minutes for the intro level. They just can't sit still that long.

[sibyl]

Approach the registrar directly.  Say that you would like to teach 2x75 rather than 3x50 but don't want to be locked into Tues/Thurs.  Ask whether this can be accommodated.  If your registrar is halfway decent, it can be.  If not, approach the dean or something.

Woah.... this depends on the institutional culture - in many cases their are coordinators and chairs who would never forgive you for going directly to the registrar. And rightly so, if a unique schedule means that students have to suddenly choose between classes instead of being able to take two classes.

Fair enough.  I have mostly worked in small institutions where individuals and departments can approach the registrar.  And you are right about unique schedules; it's one thing to ask for the creation of a few 2x75 blocks and something else entirely to ask for 1:30 Tuesday and Thursday and 9:00 Friday.  (I've seen it done.) 

The larger principle is nothing ventured, nothing gained; if it's appropriate to go through individuals or committees, do that. 

[mended_drum]

We have a few MW classes at my SLAC, but not very many.  Most of us teach five days a week, and if I have a class with an unusual number of absences on Fridays, I make sure to give a few reading quizzes, which ends that problem for all but the most determined slackers.

[_touchedbyanoodle_]

My division is notoriously empty on Fridays. We have a number of Mon-Thurs classes, so that's just the way it shakes out. Fridays tend to be the best day for meetings because of this and students aren't showing any demand for Friday classes, so it makes sense for there to be fewer classes on Fridays. If we couldn't have meetings on Fridays, we would never manage to meet.

As an instructor, I teach on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and I worked hard to get my schedule that way. I typically do not go to campus on Mondays or Fridays (unless a meeting requires me to do so), and I do not feel the need to apologize for this. Hell, I get pissy when I have to go up to campus on Mondays and Fridays. I am a better instructor when I can have uninterrupted time to actually focus on my teaching and grading. A Tuesday/Thursday teaching schedule works well for this. I have 6 hours of office hours on Wednesdays, which works well for supporting my students.

If I weren't commuting, I'd still ask for the 8am classes. I like starting my day early and ending it early. But, alas, I've got a kid and a 50-mile commute, so no go.

[msparticularity]

Many Colleges of Ed schedule courses for MW or TTh, with Fridays off for students, but devoted to committee and departmental meetings. This serves our students by allowing them to substitute in local districts on Fridays, while also allowing us a day on which we can definitely all be available for meetings.

MrP taught last year for a CC that did a lot of MW and TTh scheduling, and also had some Friday-only courses. This seems like a good option to me, since it accommodates students with a variety of schedules and also makes good use of facilities.

[octoprof]

My previous school had MWF and TuTh classes in the mornings and MW and TuTh classes in the afternoons, leaving Friday afternoon for faculty meetings and student events. It seemed to work pretty well.

[polly_mer]

Many Colleges of Ed schedule courses for MW or TTh, with Fridays off for students, but devoted to committee and departmental meetings. This serves our students by allowing them to substitute in local districts on Fridays, while also allowing us a day on which we can definitely all be available for meetings.

Our education department does that, too, but since I'm in science, my schedule is MWF so I teach science for teachers at 4-6 pm on Friday--their only class on Friday for many of those students.

[juvenal]

Fridays?  Well, "Afternoon of the living dead," at my CC.  The a.m.'s a bit more full, but parking is much less fraught than MTuWTh.

It's been years since I had an assigned Friday class, although I'm generally in my office working on things for the week-to-come that day.

Eight o'clocks?  Love 'em!  That's the slot I ask for, and that's the slot I get, since most of my other colleagues seem to be owlish, not larkish.  And the course is always full.  I guess with the desperate, who need the course, whatever the hour.

I take naps in the afternoon.

[helpful]

Most of our classes are one class a week.  It takes some adjustment, but I find it better than short classes twice or three times a week.

[bud04]

Most of our classes are one class a week.  It takes some adjustment, but I find it better than short classes twice or three times a week.

Yep. There is such a thing as seeing too much of students!