Monday, October 17, 2005
Early Registration starts November 3 and continues through November 18, 2005
|
This year students will register for classes for spring and summer during fall early registration. Typically students register for summer classes during the early registration period held in the spring. The change is necessary due to the conversion to new Banner software for offices in Student Affairs. Early registration is the ideal time to plan a class schedule and register for classes for the spring and summer. Early registration holds opportunities for these student groups: • First-year freshmen, you are coming upon the second semester of your college career and early registration will allow you to select courses before new students and students who are returning after stopping out for a semester or more. • Students changing majors, this early registration period is an ideal time to review the courses you need and those you want to take. Faculty advisors can suggest schedule planning that gets you in needed courses when they are offered, since some courses are not offered every semester. • Students who want to assure themselves of their selections, early registration is a time you can confirm with an advisor that the class selections will meet degree requirements in a time frame you have planned. It is to a student’s advantage to seek out help that is available through a faculty advisor. Often departments prepare materials to assist students in program planning. R. Scott Anderson, instructor in computer science, encourages students to use such checklists that show what classes have been taken and what classes are currently being taken, so students can see what classes are needed in a particular program. “I advise in the area of computer science and some of the classes in the program are not offered every semester,” he said. “I can help students analyze what classes they will need to meet graduation requirements over a comprehensive two-year time frame, so they enroll in required classes during the semesters the classes are offered.” Often second-, third-, and fourth-year students arrive at an academic advising session prepared with a list of courses they want to take for the upcoming semester. “For those students, I’m a rubber stamp of approval,” said Beth Otto, instructor in education. “When students have a hold on their schedule for late fees or for academic reasons, I can explain the procedures of how to get “holds” removed,” she said. “For those trying to meet 2.0 GPA requirements, I suggest limiting course work for the next semester or retaking a course. We talk about options.” Departments keep up-to-date information about requirements in a major field and coordinate professional certification, licensing, and other requirements. “Since I’m in education, I advise students who at 55 credit hours are required to take pre-professional skills assessments called PRAXIS tests,” she said. “I’m a promoter of PRAXIS preparation.” The testing is part of the state’s teacher licensing certification process. It is used to evaluate individuals for entry into the teacher education program. USI freshmen who have not declared a major consult with advisors in University Division. Stephanie Hamington, director of University Division, suggests students do some planning before an advising session. She said, “It is helpful if a student brings a list of classes already taken plus what core curriculum courses he or she needs. We talk about core curriculum requirements, majors and degree programs offered, and try to help those undecided to progress toward their educational goal.” She said that students may begin taking required classes for many majors and minors even though they are still advised in University Division. She added, “Since about 50 percent of college students change a major while in school, it is common for us to talk with students about careers and sometimes send them to a computer program called Discover that offers career testing online to see what career an individual is suited.” She said more in-depth counseling is available in the Career Counseling Center on campus. University Division advisors are well informed about new academic programs and updates to academic programs. The advisors have a faculty liaison in each college who keeps them updated on new requirements, changes in licensing, and additions to the curriculum. Online registration can take a student out of the loop of advisor approval of a class schedule. Dr. Ann White, assistant dean of nursing, said the College of Nursing and Health Professions is sending postcards and e-mail messages starting this week to students encouraging them to telephone or e-mail advisors and review class schedules before online registration. She said, “It is absolutely necessary to connect with an advisor to review planned classes. That connection can be by phone, via e-mail, or face-to-face before going online to register.” In the College of Nursing and Health Professions, orientation leaders called Amigos help first-year students learn how to use MYUSI to register. “The students leaders are extremely helpful,” White said. “They show the new students how the software works and offer assistance since they have already registered online.” The spring and summer 2006 schedules of classes are online at www.usi.edu/schedules.asp. |
Copyright © 2013 University of Southern Indiana. All rights reserved.