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HELP
Class registration should be improved

Signing up for the right classes can be a frustrating task.

Trying to find the class that best suits requirements is not exactly one of the more fun parts of the college experience. Those 12-18 hours a semester will determine the futures of many, and the current system doesn’t always provide a clear path to that future.

Steps are being taken. The journalism department is testing a new policy this semester that requires all of its students to visit an advisor before being allowed to sign up for classes. This came about after many of the journalism students were nearing graduation without the proper needs to receive a diploma.

To save the confusion for everyone, here are a few
suggestions:

• Better training for professors — Pointing out the right direction for students isn’t easy. There are those with minors and double majors, whose other degree requirements may be beyond a professor’s realm of knowledge. More training would result in students not having to zig-zag across campus from department to department.

• Create an effective online catalogue index — The new online resource is confusing, and lacks an index that is easy to understand. The search option is not always useful. No one wants to read from start to finish to find out what they need to do for themselves.

• Expand advisement period — Trying to find out what you need days before signing up for classes is nerve-racking. Spreading the process out would lessen the burden on all sides.

Despite the possible improvements, the ultimate responsibility falls back on the students. We are in college, and can only have our hands held for so long. With some intuition and a little research, finding the best available classes can be made easier.