Picking out classes for a new semester can be a trying experience, especially for first year students. The date a student can register is of utmost importance and first years usually have the latest registration date. For some, scheduling for spring semester was difficult. The reason? Crucial courses being filled up before the registration deadline had passed.
Some students and faculty have blamed the full classes on the supposed swelling of the population of the campus, giving late registering students little option for credits.
“I had to get instructors to sign me in for two classes, because I needed them and they were already full,” said first year student Brian Howard. “My advisor was really helpful, but it was sort of stressful, I plan to study abroad next year, so I needed certain classes next semester.”
Despite the class crunch, there are fewer students on campus this year. “We admitted 158 fewer applicants this year than we did last year,” said Director of Undergraduate Admission Gene Fahey, “and we enrolled 32 fewer students this year as well.”
For the fall semester 2005, 1245 first year students were enrolled in classes and this semester, the number was 1213.
“We expect to only enroll 150 new students for the spring term,” said Fahey.
Although the numbers are less, the average capacity of classes on campus is between 25-30 students and many instructors have to sign in more than registration allows. Sometimes departments have to open up new sections to accommodate students. Offering more classes may be a solution to swelling class size.
“My advisor wasn’t exactly clear as to what I was supposed to do about registration,” said first year student Ian Masse, “I haven’t gotten classes yet, but I’m not too worried about it.”
To avoid missing opportunities to take critical courses, students should sign up early with their advisors to go over class schedules. The Undergraduate Advising Center is also a great resource for those who may have questions regarding degree requirements.