Nicholls will reinstate a compressed workweek this summer due to it saving the University more than $175,000 last summer.After the University piloted a compressed workweek, which shifts the Monday through Thursday schedule back half an hour and ends at 11:30 a.m. on Fridays, students from Marketing Research 485 conducted a survey of University employees to rate their satisfaction of the new work schedule. The research showed 74 percent of employees were satisfied with the schedule.

University president Stephen Hulbert said in a memo sent out to employees, he estimates the University saved between $175,000 and $200,000 last summer using the compressed work schedule.

The research done by the Marketing Research students highlighted motivators in support of a compressed workweek, which include cutting costs of transportation and childcare and providing employees with more personal time. The research showed these motivators boost the morale of employees affected by the shortened workweek.

One of the recommendations from the study was for the University to enact the compressed workweek during the summer session of 2010 and consider a gradual implementation of the compressed workweek year-round. The University of Louisiana at Monroe and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette are both utilizing a year-long compressed workweek, closing at noon on Fridays, according to the Marketing Research study.

University operating hours will change effective May 31 and end August 6. The current hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday will be replaced with the summer operating hours of 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Fridays.