by Lindsay Sampson
Like sleeping until noon on the weekdays? Want Fridays off from class after a hard night of partying? Enjoy having teachers who think tests and papers are a waste of time?
At Fairfield, don’t expect to enjoy a schedule like this one, unless you are a Presidential Scholar. Or a Fellow Scholar. Or a Community Scholar. Or a varsity athlete. Or a nursing major. Or an RA. Or a member of the debate team.
Yes, there is a pecking order at Fairfield, a group of elite students that get to avoid long lines and register before the rank and file average students.
“I don’t understand how, as a senior, I still can’t take all of the classes that I need and want,” said Jill Farinon ’04, a marketing major.
“I think it’s ridiculous that some students get to go before others,” Farinon added. “We all pay the same amount to go to Fairfield. Why should an athlete with a horrible GPA get to go before a Dean’s List student?”
Ursula Hurley ’04 agreed.
“I don’t know which is worse-spending hours at a computer trying to get into closed courses or waiting in line in Canisius to get the same news,” said Hurley. “Something needs to change so that more students’ needs are met.”
Four years ago, a group of students, faculty and administrators developed an order for registration. In general, registration follows in descending class order, starting with seniors and ending with freshman.
But students with academic scholarships have priority registration and are followed by in-season athletes, nursing majors, RAs and members of the debate team. Students in the IRC have priority registration for one required class each semester, and all remaining students are part of a lottery system that randomly assigns times for registration according to class.
Fairfield University Registrar Robert Russo, who was involved in determining the order for registration, said equity and efficiency have been two major issues in dealing with registration. One of the biggest obstacles is “making it a smooth, fair process for all students,” said Russo.
However, Russo thinks that the majority of registration problems have been resolved and that the current process adequately enrolls students in the classes they need with little conflict.
“We could just let the seniors go first and register for everything, but this way sophomore and junior majors get to choose their major courses first,” said Russo. “So a fine arts major can get photography for major credit before a senior can get it for an elective.”
Students who benefit from priority registration don’t feel they are being given an unfair advantage. Presidential Scholar Kelly Chapple ’04 thinks the system is fair.
“I don’t think having priority registration is unfair because it is something I earned through my hard work,” said Chapple. “Being a Presidential Scholar comes with certain academic expectations and requirements and priority registration is sort of a tradeoff.”
Mary Ann Palazzi, an academic advisor and coordinator of programs for student athletes, agreed. She feels that the registration system provides needed flexibility in resolving scheduling issues for athletes.
“I think the purpose of priority scheduling is that so the kids will be able to go to class. Thy have a demanding schedule and they need the ability to be able to practice together as a team,” said Palazzi.
Russo also feels that online registration has definitely facilitated the process and made it much easier for students.
“The students like going on the Web. We have new hardware that can take more students hitting the system at one time without slowing down the system,” said Russo.
Some students were less enthusiastic about registering online. “I think it’s harder because you don’t know what classes are taken until you put in the code and the class is not there,” said James Kelleher ’05. “You think you have your schedule all set and then you really don’t.”
Despite these concerns, Russo is confident that registration will go smoothly for the upcoming spring semester. He encourages anxious students to be prepared and reasonable when making their class schedules.
“Have backup courses. Don’t only have five choices. Be flexible with times. Everyone can’t sleep late and have Fridays off.”
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