With the school year coming to an end and people getting prepared to graduate, the editors of The Equinox can not help but feel empathetic for students who might miss out on the opportunity because of the course registration system.
We feel the way course registration is run is awful and that is pretty much an open secret. Many students complain about the courses they feel forced to be placed in and some even have trouble graduating because of it. Some students may have to enter a fifth year in Keene State College because course registration cheated them. Students do not deserve to be financially burdened because the way they select courses does not cater to their needs.
KSC does have priorities when it comes to registration. Those registered with the Office of Disability Services receive first priority, students enrolled in the Morris-August Honors Program get second priority and student-athletes get third priority. We think the way the priorities are set up is deeply flawed.
Students in the Morris-August Honors Program and student-athletes are put in a very high priority even when they might not be the ones with the highest need. Students who are close to not graduating should be given a higher priority because it is imperative they get the help they require. Additionally, GPA should be taken into account to determine which students are not graduating due to lack of effort versus those who are not graduating because of the system betraying them.
While KSC is not a meritocracy, that should not stop the school from providing benefits to those who put in hard work. Those who put in the effort it takes to achieve greatness deserve to see such greatness. Otherwise, people will just be discouraged from trying leading to a culture of apathy and a higher tolerance of mediocrity.
Transfer students are especially those who are hard-working and get their plans of success foiled by the system of course registration. Not only did transfer students work hard at a different college, but they also chose KSC to further their education out of any other school. The college should not be thanking them by giving them an incredibly hard time when it comes to choosing courses. Everyone deserves to graduate on time when they put in the effort it takes.
However, not everything in the course registration is awful. The week of April 8 this year the Registrar’s Office, now under the leadership of Laura Provost, offered students hours from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. In the past the hours have been 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We believe the extra time is very much welcome and needed. We commend the Registrar’s Office for offering the extra hours.
Although, sometimes things that may earnestly be done to be helpful can backfire. Many classes are being offered during the summer or at 8 a.m., while not many students will actually want to take said classes. These should not be their only options. Additionally, it’s possible some advisors may not be aware of what it takes for students to graduate. The editors of The Equinox feel it is dire for advisors to learn the needs of their students and accommodate them to the best of their abilities.
