How can I politely request a professor to avoid late evening/night classes?

Question

Background: I am a junior undergrad math major in India, and I am taking a graduate-level math course this semester for which attendance is mandatory. This is the last week of instruction (i.e., Friday is the last working day of the semester), and it is immediately followed by endterm exams (starting Saturday itself). One of my professors wishes to take certain classes and meet for presentations (by students), after dinner time. This is quite unusual, keeping in mind that the official university timetable does not have any lecture slots after 20:00. Regardless, I do not mind it, as long as the classes/presentations do not run for too long. We plan to meet at 20:00/20:30, and it's no trouble if the classes end by 22:30, or even 23:00, in the worst case. I am an early sleeper, I have faced certain sleep issues in the past, and I strongly do not prefer late night classes, i.e., ones that may run beyond 22:30 for example.

Question: How can I communicate my concerns and politely request the professor to perhaps ensure (i) some upper bound on the classes/presentation time, (ii) that I do not have to stay too late, or (iii) find some other time, earlier in the day? It seems like a reasonable ask since the class timings are abnormal, and later than usual. I would prefer not to play around much with my sleep schedule, especially since finals are starting soon.

Update: Thank you everyone for your advice! I voiced my concerns firmly to the instructor and requested a different, possibly earlier time slot. With consent from other students in the course, we were able to figure out a time in the afternoon/early evening for the final presentations! It's a win.

Answer 1

You just have to ask, but you probably can't affect the schedule since the professor has other constraints. But you could ask to make your own presentation early in the time period or at some alternate time, giving the reasons.

They might make an accommodation or not. But your ask is probably reasonable as long as you don't make it a complaint or try to move the entire session.

If the presentations are by groups, not individuals, you might even be able to request an excused absence, offering to make it up, somehow at some other time.

Answer 2

Not sure about India, but in the US and other countries I have experience with, a professor cannot schedule mandatory class meetings at a time that contravenes the normal university policy about when classes can be scheduled. If this also applies in India, then you do not need to request anything, only to inform. For example, by writing an email like this:

Dear Professor,

I am looking forward to our presentation session this Friday at 20:00. I wanted to let you know however that I will have to leave at 22:00.

Sincerely,

connected-subgroup

Answer 3

With the cultural context & geography in mind, I suggest you determine how important this issue is to you. Is it the hill you choose to die upon (something you stand by, irrespective of the cost), a minor inconvenience, or something in between.

If it is minor, I agree with @Arriel that you should try to put up with it. The instructor is probably operating under some time constraints and this may be the only available slot.

If the inconvenience is severe, please speak to the instructor and try to work out a mutually accommodative solution. If others are in the same boat, you will have a stronger case. Conversely, if most of the class enjoys this time, then you may consider evaluating what makes your requirement different from theirs- this could also help articulate your case clearly.

I have been part of similarly scheduled activities, and found them to be more common in residential universities (the logistics of off-normal classes are simpler here). My impression is that these are the only ways long activities (longer than a lecture hour) can be accommodated. The presentation model you describe- where other students are required to attend and critique- is one such. Personally, I (and most others, if I remember right) found these rather enjoyable and relaxed (partly because the instructors were generous with coffee and snacks). This may also be because the focus of the activity was different than a usual lecture; paper discussions at times, seminars at others, applied tutorials occassionally.

You may have an entirely different experience; if you feel strongly against it, do communicate with the instructor amicably. Don't escalate unless you've done this.