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Well, it's that time of year again. Time for the open registration blues here at the community college.
For our new members, SOAR means Student Orientation And Registration. All new students have to take a SOAR session to learn about our campus and how to register for classes.
The week before classes start is open registration. While students can register themselves on Web Advisor, they can also get faculty assistance in "the pit", or by department after a SOAR session. /bg
Some stories from this year . . . .
I'm going to be a game designer!
One day there were no health sciences students to advise, but the open registration pit was getting slammed, so my division chair asked us to do general registration.
This was a young kid, just out of high school, who wants to get a degree in game design, but doesn't want to take the program we have in this at our CC. He wants to transfer to where he can get a 4 year degree in this (yes, there is a degree field in writing computer games).
He starts telling me all about his program, but it's not to the point and I don't really care. He still has to take basic freshman courses. He wants to know what will transfer, and starts going on and on about the courses at Other School.
Me: Most of your basic freshman courses will transfer to any other accredited school.
SC: But you're not sure?
Me: Well, there's no way I can know the transfer requirements of every school in the United States. But your basic English and math will transfer. Some other courses, it just depends on the school
SC: I know, the course of study for my program is on Other Schools website. Can you pull it up and we can see what the equivalent courses are.
Me: There's no way I can know what equivalent courses are for your degree program at another school.
SC: But if you just look it up . . . .
Me: No. I'm sorry. If you want an idea of what courses might be equivalent or what that school will accept from us, it's your job to call that school and find out. That's work you should do.
He was a bit crestfallen, but he finally shut up and let me register him for basic courses for the General Science transfer option.
I have a question . . . .
A student stops me in the hall when I leave my computer to make a bathroom break (for it).
SC: I have a question.
Me: OK. What program have you applied to?
SC: I need to know about this calculus course I registered for.
Me:
*That wasn't what I asked you, dammit!* I need to know what program you have applied for before I can help you, or what advisers you need to speak with. I advise nursing students.
SC: I'm only taking calculus.
Me: Then you need to go to open registration or talk to someone in the math department.
SC: But can't you tell me anything about this course?
Me: No. I teach nursing, not math.
SC: So you can't answer my question.
Me: *Is there an echo in here?* That's right.
But I'm a CNA
No sooner do I direct her on where to find Open Registration, another student approaches *Dammit! Tiny bladder about to burst!*
SC: I have a question. I'm a CNA, and I'm going for nursing. Do I need to take all these courses for nursing?
The student unfolds an advising sheet for our ADN program. It lists all the required courses students must take to earn a degree at our school: Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Englishes, Communications, General Psych, etc.
Me: Yes, all of those courses are part of the nursing curriculum.
SC: But I'm a CNA!
Me: You must still take all those courses.
She left looking very unhappy. Clearly, she thought that being a nurse was just a matter of learning additional procedures CNAs can't do.
It isn't. Not by a long shot.
The Purge
About a week before school starts, the registration system purges all students who have not paid their tuition and fees from the system. We warn students of this when we register them. The benefit it has is students who couldn't get into a class will have another opportunity during Open Registration when those seats open up. Most will register themselves on Web Advisor, but some come to Open Registration. We tell them to come early.
The line Monday morning switchbacked 3 times.
One student came in very angry that she'd been purged from the system for non-payment.
SC: Something is wrong with the system. When I went into Web Advisor to add a course, my whole schedule was gone!
CW: It looks like you got purged for non-payment.
SC: My Financial Aid hasn't been approved yet. I told them it might be a couple of weeks.
Sorry, Charlie, those seats aren't going to be held for two weeks only to find out your FA has been denied because you applied too late.
SC: I want to get back into those classes.
CW: If you don't pay today, you will be purged again at 5 o'clock
SC: But I can't pay for 2 weeks
CW: Then I see no point in registering you and holding up seats from someone else.
She wasn't pleased, but CW refused to re-register her since she couldn't pay today.
Make up your mind!
A pre-nursing student comes in for advising after SOAR with her boyfriend.
Me: (after looking at her placement scores). OK, I can try to put you in the math course you need, and English. There's a couple of other classes you qualify for as well. Do you have a preference for campus?
SC: *silence*
Me: We have classes on this campus, City A Campus, and City B campus. Some classes are at the airport, but most students don't want to go there.
SC: I don't know.
Me; Well, let's see what's available. English 101 is available on MWF at 8, 9, 10, or 12 noon. Which would you like.
SC looks at BF
BF: Remember you wanted to work some.
SC: I don't know. 8 seems awfully early.
BF: How about 9am?
SC: OK
It went on like that. She looked to the BF for every answer to every question I asked her.
Me: Do you have to be full time for financial aid?
SC: I don't know. My mother is on her way.
Oh good lord. SC didn't know what courses she needed, how she was paying for them, whether she wanted to be full time or not, and putting a schedule together was like pulling teeth from a hen.
Mom finally shows up and says she didn't need to be full time. Good thing, I'm not sure this kid is up to full time college level work.
Me: Have you downloaded the nursing application packet from the website
SC:
Me: *explains how to find it, and that the steps must be followed in order to apply.* Are you a CNA?
SC: No.
Me: You need to get a certificate from a state approved school. We have one, but other schools do as well.
Finally she left.
Oh my brain hurts. Two weeks of people who don't know what the want, don't know how to get it, can't make a decision, and want what the system can't provide.
For our new members, SOAR means Student Orientation And Registration. All new students have to take a SOAR session to learn about our campus and how to register for classes.
The week before classes start is open registration. While students can register themselves on Web Advisor, they can also get faculty assistance in "the pit", or by department after a SOAR session. /bg
Some stories from this year . . . .
I'm going to be a game designer!
One day there were no health sciences students to advise, but the open registration pit was getting slammed, so my division chair asked us to do general registration.
This was a young kid, just out of high school, who wants to get a degree in game design, but doesn't want to take the program we have in this at our CC. He wants to transfer to where he can get a 4 year degree in this (yes, there is a degree field in writing computer games).
He starts telling me all about his program, but it's not to the point and I don't really care. He still has to take basic freshman courses. He wants to know what will transfer, and starts going on and on about the courses at Other School.
Me: Most of your basic freshman courses will transfer to any other accredited school.
SC: But you're not sure?
Me: Well, there's no way I can know the transfer requirements of every school in the United States. But your basic English and math will transfer. Some other courses, it just depends on the school
SC: I know, the course of study for my program is on Other Schools website. Can you pull it up and we can see what the equivalent courses are.
Me: There's no way I can know what equivalent courses are for your degree program at another school.
SC: But if you just look it up . . . .
Me: No. I'm sorry. If you want an idea of what courses might be equivalent or what that school will accept from us, it's your job to call that school and find out. That's work you should do.
He was a bit crestfallen, but he finally shut up and let me register him for basic courses for the General Science transfer option.
I have a question . . . .
A student stops me in the hall when I leave my computer to make a bathroom break (for it).
SC: I have a question.
Me: OK. What program have you applied to?
SC: I need to know about this calculus course I registered for.
Me:
*That wasn't what I asked you, dammit!* I need to know what program you have applied for before I can help you, or what advisers you need to speak with. I advise nursing students.SC: I'm only taking calculus.
Me: Then you need to go to open registration or talk to someone in the math department.
SC: But can't you tell me anything about this course?
Me: No. I teach nursing, not math.
SC: So you can't answer my question.
Me:
*Is there an echo in here?* That's right.But I'm a CNA
No sooner do I direct her on where to find Open Registration, another student approaches *Dammit! Tiny bladder about to burst!*
SC: I have a question. I'm a CNA, and I'm going for nursing. Do I need to take all these courses for nursing?
The student unfolds an advising sheet for our ADN program. It lists all the required courses students must take to earn a degree at our school: Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Englishes, Communications, General Psych, etc.
Me: Yes, all of those courses are part of the nursing curriculum.
SC: But I'm a CNA!
Me: You must still take all those courses.
She left looking very unhappy. Clearly, she thought that being a nurse was just a matter of learning additional procedures CNAs can't do.
It isn't. Not by a long shot.
The Purge
About a week before school starts, the registration system purges all students who have not paid their tuition and fees from the system. We warn students of this when we register them. The benefit it has is students who couldn't get into a class will have another opportunity during Open Registration when those seats open up. Most will register themselves on Web Advisor, but some come to Open Registration. We tell them to come early.
The line Monday morning switchbacked 3 times.
One student came in very angry that she'd been purged from the system for non-payment.
SC: Something is wrong with the system. When I went into Web Advisor to add a course, my whole schedule was gone!
CW: It looks like you got purged for non-payment.
SC: My Financial Aid hasn't been approved yet. I told them it might be a couple of weeks.
Sorry, Charlie, those seats aren't going to be held for two weeks only to find out your FA has been denied because you applied too late.
SC: I want to get back into those classes.
CW: If you don't pay today, you will be purged again at 5 o'clock
SC: But I can't pay for 2 weeks
CW: Then I see no point in registering you and holding up seats from someone else.
She wasn't pleased, but CW refused to re-register her since she couldn't pay today.
Make up your mind!
A pre-nursing student comes in for advising after SOAR with her boyfriend.
Me: (after looking at her placement scores). OK, I can try to put you in the math course you need, and English. There's a couple of other classes you qualify for as well. Do you have a preference for campus?
SC: *silence*
Me: We have classes on this campus, City A Campus, and City B campus. Some classes are at the airport, but most students don't want to go there.
SC: I don't know.
Me; Well, let's see what's available. English 101 is available on MWF at 8, 9, 10, or 12 noon. Which would you like.
SC looks at BF
BF: Remember you wanted to work some.
SC: I don't know. 8 seems awfully early.
BF: How about 9am?
SC: OK
It went on like that. She looked to the BF for every answer to every question I asked her.
Me: Do you have to be full time for financial aid?
SC: I don't know. My mother is on her way.
Oh good lord. SC didn't know what courses she needed, how she was paying for them, whether she wanted to be full time or not, and putting a schedule together was like pulling teeth from a hen.
Mom finally shows up and says she didn't need to be full time. Good thing, I'm not sure this kid is up to full time college level work.
Me: Have you downloaded the nursing application packet from the website
SC:
Me: *explains how to find it, and that the steps must be followed in order to apply.* Are you a CNA?
SC: No.
Me: You need to get a certificate from a state approved school. We have one, but other schools do as well.
Finally she left.
Oh my brain hurts. Two weeks of people who don't know what the want, don't know how to get it, can't make a decision, and want what the system can't provide.
*hands Panacea a plate of cookies* <- on behalf of the less stupid half of the world 
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