Spring Break
No resources to fix class availability
By: Laura Donovan
Issue date: 4/30/08 Section: Opinions
Several departments at this university are selective of whom they let into their classes.
They don't intentionally want to shut out lowerclassmen just for being at the bottom of the barrel during class registration, but they end up doing so because they don't always have the resources to offer everyone a required class.
Despite our well-known sports programs and versatile university activities, this is a university primarily and academics should always be the first priority. Rated one of the top 50 public universities in the country by US News and World Report, it's upsetting and discouraging that it's virtually impossible for students to get all of the classes they need every semester. Students often race to the computer whenever the schedule of classes for the following semester shows up on the UA Web site, but the mock schedules they create for themselves rarely become a reality.
As annoying as it is to wake up for class registration at 6:55 a.m. to a slow Internet connection and growing frustration, it is even worse to be denied a class. Though it may not be the end of the world, missing out on one or more classes throws off an entire semester.
The college advisers may tell you that you can always take the class you couldn't get into the following semester, but for students taking major courses, the class is a pre-requisite. This delays a student's access to an upper division class for a year, so their plans to graduate a semester early or go abroad may be disrupted.
The worst part about this problem is that the students don't have any control over it. It's not as if they were set back because they failed a few courses or became a part-time student, but because the university couldn't come up with the resources to accommodate them as promised at university admittance.
Once a class is full, there isn't much to do other than find a replacement or bother the professor enough that they'll concede into admitting us. There are many general education classes, so while it is disappointing to only get into a poorly rated Individuals and Societies class, the requirement will still be met.
They don't intentionally want to shut out lowerclassmen just for being at the bottom of the barrel during class registration, but they end up doing so because they don't always have the resources to offer everyone a required class.
Despite our well-known sports programs and versatile university activities, this is a university primarily and academics should always be the first priority. Rated one of the top 50 public universities in the country by US News and World Report, it's upsetting and discouraging that it's virtually impossible for students to get all of the classes they need every semester. Students often race to the computer whenever the schedule of classes for the following semester shows up on the UA Web site, but the mock schedules they create for themselves rarely become a reality.
As annoying as it is to wake up for class registration at 6:55 a.m. to a slow Internet connection and growing frustration, it is even worse to be denied a class. Though it may not be the end of the world, missing out on one or more classes throws off an entire semester.
The college advisers may tell you that you can always take the class you couldn't get into the following semester, but for students taking major courses, the class is a pre-requisite. This delays a student's access to an upper division class for a year, so their plans to graduate a semester early or go abroad may be disrupted.
The worst part about this problem is that the students don't have any control over it. It's not as if they were set back because they failed a few courses or became a part-time student, but because the university couldn't come up with the resources to accommodate them as promised at university admittance.
Once a class is full, there isn't much to do other than find a replacement or bother the professor enough that they'll concede into admitting us. There are many general education classes, so while it is disappointing to only get into a poorly rated Individuals and Societies class, the requirement will still be met.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Kevin Kraft
posted 4/30/08 @ 5:59 AM PST
Laura, thank you for your thoughtful opinions, which I happen to share. I am the parent of an out-of-state sophomore and I am very disappointed in the availability of classes. (Continued…)
Marvin L Foushee
posted 4/30/08 @ 1:35 PM PST
If the university purchased some high definition television cameras and starting taping and live feeding lectures, you could have two classes going for the price of one instructor--plus an extra graduate student for lecture discussion, questions, comment, and grading. (Continued…)
Jon
posted 4/30/08 @ 11:10 PM PST
I have rarely had trouble getting into classes at the U, been here six years, between two degrees. The few classes I did have trouble getting were gen eds but I ended up loving the courses I took instead. (Continued…)
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