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Rule 1
This competition seeks to encourage research into automated timetabling methods, and to offer prizes to the most successful methods. It is the spirit of these rules that is important, not the letter. With any set of rules for any competition it is possible to work within the letter of the rules but outside the spirit. The organisers ask that you please don't do this. It's not fair, it's not good science, and it will result in disqualification.
Rule 2
The organisers reserve the right to disqualify any participant from the competition at any time if the participant is determined by the organisers to have worked outside the spirit of the competition rules. The organisers' decision is final in any matter. Decisions will be made democratically by the organisers with the Chair having the casting vote in the case of ties.
Rule 3
The organisers reserve the right to change the rules at any time and without notice. Any change of rules will be accompanied by a general email to all participants.
Rule 4
Entries from participating organising partners will not be permitted for the second round. Contributors of instances can participate in the competition, however the scores on the contributed instances will be disregarded. Participants from the same institute as the contributor will be treated as contributor.
Rule 4
The competition consists of three rounds, the first two rounds with deadline May 7, 2012, 9.00 AM (CEST, UTC+2) and the third round with deadline July 11, 2012, 8.00 AM (CEST, UTC+2). At the mentioned time all solutions must be received. This deadline is absolute and no extensions will be given under any circumstances because to do so would be unfair to other participants. Participants can take part in one, two or three rounds.
Rule 5
The goal is to produce timetables in which first the cost of hard constraints are minimized, (i.e. aiming for feasible timetables) and, secondly, to minimize the cost of broken soft constraints. It is not guaranteed that a feasible timetable exists.