We applaud the university for sticking to its promise made almost three years ago to reduce the number of 8 a.m. classes.

Since Penn State President Graham Spanier started the initiative to make a more "student-centered university" with fewer 8 a.m. classes, the number of early classes offered decreased from 102 last year to 89 this year. Reducing the number of 8 a.m. classes gives students the opportunity to stay awake, alert and keep a decent attendance record.

The university's decision to not completely eliminate 8 a.m. classes is equally important because it allows students greater flexibility when scheduling their classes. Keeping 8 a.m. classes is an appropriate option just so long as it is not mandatory, and students have a number of times to choose from so their course times do not overlap. Those who are involved in extra-curricular activities such as jobs and student organizations can still have the opportunity to schedule earlier classes that fit into their daily schedules.

The university's decision to still offer a certain amount of 8 a.m. classes also considers the limited amount of classroom periods, space and resources available on campus. These constraints are particularly evident with classes that require large lecture halls. Of course, the construction of buildings to house new classrooms, such as the Information Sciences and Technology Building and Life Sciences Building, plus the increase of online courses have also helped the initiative to accommodate students' needs. However, the outskirts of the campus can only spread out so far.

Allowing the option of having 8 a.m. classes also accommodates the many professors and faculty who prefer having classes at an earlier time rather than an evening time. Patrick Trimble, a professor of integrative arts who teaches an 8 a.m. class, said most professors would prefer to wakeup to teach an 8 a.m. class than to teach until 7 p.m.

If anything, 8 a.m. classes should only be available for classes required for majors instead of general education classes. It is much easier to wake up early for a class that is required and students may find more enjoyable than a class a student has no choice but to take. Also, students who can only get the occasional 8 a.m. classes should just deal with it. After all we are preparing to work in the real world, which means we will be functioning most likely on a 9-to-5 schedule rather than a mid-afternoon schedule. Scheduling a few early morning classes gives students a chance to experience what it is like to function at hours they will soon encounter upon graduation, without the constant burnout of semester upon semester of the early-morning grind.