Some students registering for the upcoming semester felt that the process did not allow them to enroll in the classes they needed.
Senior psychology major Lauren Riddick said her late registration window, compared to other senior students, has greatly affected her schedule for next semester. Riddick’s class registration window opened Thursday, Nov. 1 at 8 a.m.
“I needed to get into Bisc 333 (general microbiology) to graduate with enough 300-level classes, but by the time my registration window opened, all of the classes were closed,” Riddick said. “I emailed my advisor, the teacher and the biology department and nobody could help.”
Riddick minors in biology, and now has to take genetics in place of Bisc 333, which will not count toward her nursing prerequisites. But, she must take this “filler” class in order to graduate on time.
“(Advisors and professors) all expressed their regret for my situation, but ensured me that nothing could be done to get me into the class,” Riddick said. “I’m also having to take a course over the summer.”
The university’s registration and records coordinator, Ebony McEwen, said a complex computer program sets the registration window for each student.
“The formula considers student program level as well as classification. Certain student populations receive earlier time slots,” McEwen said. “Students who complete 100 percent of their teacher evaluations from the previous semester by the published deadline will be allowed to register a day earlier than the original registration window assignment.”
Student program levels are graduate, professional and undergraduate. For classification, the computer program prioritizes doctoral students, law students, seniors, juniors, sophomores and freshmen, in that order, according to McEwen.
Freshman chemistry major Jordan Bilyeu said she had no issues getting into the right classes for next semester. Bilyeu said her registration date of Wednesday, Oct. 31 was earlier than her friends because she is a Provost Scholar.
Other students believe that some academic programs offered at the university are designed in a way that is almost impossible to finish in exactly four years. Fifth year civil engineering student Walker Green said completing a degree in four to six years should be considered the norm.
“I think some degrees probably squeeze more into four years than is probably achievable for the average student,” Green said. “Especially for students who are working part-time or for the university doing research. Five years is pretty normal.”
Green said he never took any classes during the summer or winter session, which he feels played a role in his having to complete an additional academic year. Like many students, Green opted to return home and work during breaks from school.
To have the best shot at getting into the right classes and stay on track for graduation, assistant director of academic support programs Rebekah Reysen said it is necessary students schedule appointments with their advisers on time and schedule classes as soon as their registration window opens.
“It can be competitive getting into those upper-level classes. Getting a head start and seeing an adviser right away is really helpful, and ask advisors questions,” Reysen said. “Advisers are really great for career discussions, talking about, ‘How does this set of classes help me with not only doing well in school now, but with my career later on.’”
Reysen, who spends a lot of her time with freshman students, said it’s vital for students to reach out ahead of time before they find themselves in an academic crisis.
“I always like when students can see me before they get into an academic crisis, just so we can see what’s happening and how we can help them out,” Reysen said.
