The days of rushing classrooms for last-minute adds and paper-from-a-hat lotteries may soon come to an end. Starting spring of 2011, PCC has put into effect a new policy that won’t charge students who are placed on a much longer waiting list.This timing of this new policy couldn’t be any better. With an increasing number of students trying to enroll in classes, a method that will keep the process of registration both orderly and consistent is needed. This new policy aims to keep things in order and also lowers the stress on both students and faculty.
Students who fall on the later dates of the priority registration list or those who just didn’t register on time may try to get on the waiting list of an individual course without having to actually pay. This eliminates the unnecessary refunding process of the few who are turned away on the first day. Subsequently, if a student is lucky enough to add in another section of that course, all the student has to do is drop the section in which he or she is waitlisted.
On the other hand, teachers don’t need to lose sleep after turning away a flock of disappointed students. The new policy aims to slash in half the mob of students trying to add and discourage them from crashing the course – which may probably take a few years to actually achieve. If for any reason an enrolled student decides to drop the course during the registration period, teachers can be assured that the first name on the waiting list will be able to take his or her place.
Though this new policy attempts makes things simpler, students must remain proactive and act quickly when the opportunity to add the class presents itself.
Students on the waiting list must show up on the first day of class and in addition, must have an e-mail address on file with the college that they regularly check to see if they get an add code. Also, being on the waiting list doesn’t necessarily guarantee a seat in the class. It’s simply a placeholder. Students should remain aggressive and find alternatives whether that be another course or waiting for another semester.
At first sight, the new add policy seems like a convenience, but the fantasy of ultimately getting rid of course crashing may take a while to actually happen. Hopefully as the spring semester starts, the effects of the policy will be apparent.
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