Registration is a stressful time, especially for the students who find themselves unable to get into the classes they need. With increased enrollment and budget cuts, it seems like the perfect storm for registration problems. But it appears that registration this semester is no different than registration in the past.
Earl Hawkey, the director of registration and records, looked through Spanish, Japanese, chemistry and biology classes and noted the availability.
“I’m not seeing more than I would expect to be closed,” he said.
In an informal survey of 30 random students, more than half, about 57 percent, were not able to get into the classes they wanted. Of the 57 percent, 71 percent won’t try or cannot get overrides, and 77 percent had no problems registering in past semesters.
Bailey Johnson, a sophomore elementary education major, had no problems last year. But this year, she was unable to get into any of her education classes.
“They don’t give overrides because they’re smaller classes,” she said.
Hawkey hasn’t seen any more overrides this semester than in previous semesters.
“There’s nothing out of the ordinary,” he said.
He also added, “They probably won’t do any cancellations until a later point in time.”
But many class sections have been cancelled for next semester. Johnson cited communications 211 as an example.
“One section was cancelled, and one had an asterisk in the corner, and I was told you needed to apply for that section.”
The other three sections were full.
The only section of Japanese 202 was cancelled, as was the only on-campus clothing and human behavior class for textile, clothing, and design majors.
Erica Heusinkvelt, a junior fashion design major, said she usually has problems getting into her classes. “It’s because they’re so small, and they’re only offered in the spring or fall.”
At the same time, sections are being added, hopefully to accommodate the students who need specific courses to graduate.
Scout Richters, a junior advertising major said, “First when I tried to get into my advertising classes, there were none available. But luckily they added another, so I was able to get in.”
This seems to be what registration is about every semester.
Colton May, a senior advertising major, said, “It has been a joke.”
But he also considered himself fortunate because his advising coordinator had been able to get him into the required classes.
Johnson, however, isn’t so lucky.
“I’m probably going to have to stay an extra semester or year,” she said.
nicolestaton@dailynebraskan.com
