Student concerns about academic registration were answered Thursday as Orin Grossman, academic vice president, released an updated registration process that will be used this fall for Spring 2009 classes.
The committee that was formed last year by Grossman to address registration issues is responsible for the successful wait-list system that was implemented last semester, has recommended changing the system from a computer-generated lottery to one that uses mixed alphabetical groupings of last names.
‘Perhaps those students plagued by the 745th lottery number for the third year in a row will get a better opportunity to register early,’ said Mary Frances Malone, associate academic vice president, and chair of the committee.
A student will receive a random alphabetical sequence for their majors and minors and then receive the opposite sequence for their core and electives. The sequence will change every semester so that each student, in his or her four years at Fairfield, will have the opportunity to register early.’
More afternoon courses, the most popular time slot for Fairfield students, will become available as the two-and-half hour turbo slots are moved to early Monday, Friday mornings and Wednesdays. This restriction on turbos will provide the opportunity for more two-a-week and three-a-week classes to emerge during the afternoon. Night turbos will still remain.
Preferential registration will be changed to work on a by-class basis for Presidential Scholars, University Fellows and Community Scholars for major/minors and core/electives.’ In-season athletes will also receive preferred registration by class, except for core and elective classes only.’
The wait-list allows students to show preference for a closed course. If slots are opened, it gives students the opportunity to enroll for that class. The wait-list will continue to be implemented this semester. Last semester, half of the wait-listed students were granted their request.
‘I think it was a great start for something that was brand new last term,’ said Dean of Freshmen and committee member Debnam Chappell.
The wait-list also facilitates data, providing the registrar and department chairs with information on specific academic student demands.
‘The wait-list can identify which classes students prefer, which is a good indication of what students want,’ said Chair of Senate Dan Lamendola.
‘We [FUSA] found the major concerns students had, brought those concerns to the committee, and worked with administration to fix those problems,’ said FUSA President Jeff Seiser.’
The student association has worked with administration to try to simplify the process and make it, ‘more equitable among all students,’ Chappell said.
Overall, the committee has not received many complaints or concerns about the new system thus far.
Ashley Doran ’10 said, ‘I think it’s good that they are updating the system since many students have been unhappy with it in the past. But I’m not sure if the switch to morning turbos will be a very popular option.’
In the future, the committee hopes to continue simplifying the process, eventually moving it completely online, and, subsequently, paperless, as well as converting the process from a three to a one-week time period.
For now, students can look forward to the registration booklet upon its release next week.
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