Spartan Daily - Serving San Jose State University since 1934

Issue date: 1/31/08 Section: Opinion

Chris Bausinger

When it comes to class registration there is no reason to complain. It is a fair process.

There is a specific date to begin, and unless you completely forget, you have about a month to create a schedule that is desirable.

According to the SJSU Web site, there are eight categories that students are organized into. The group you fall under determines the date you can begin to register.

Groups one through four cover students with special scheduling needs, such as resident advisers, athletes, students with disabilities, graduate students and graduating seniors.

Students in these groups who are returning for another semester follow in a descending list based on academic status. Non-graduating seniors based on alphabetical groupings are next, followed by juniors, sophomores and continuing freshmen.

That might seem unfair, but these groups fight practice schedules and games, meetings and work schedules that consume more time than your average part-time job.

If you are toward the top of this list, you might not think the registration process is so bad.

Maybe if you are at the bottom of this list, you will blame the administration for creating a hierarchy.

Whatever your view of the process may be, this is not something that should be unfamiliar to you.

In elementary school, parents most likely picked up registration packets and the grade level you were in would determine the class you would have.

The same process is evident in high school.

During school events such as rallies and demonstrations, the grade levels would always be separated and placed together.

The yearbook is a subtle reminder that academic level separates students.

Is putting students in order based on certain criteria any different than all the class systems students have been put through before?

We are separated, sorted and arranged in a way to make registrars' lives easier.

If you are still complaining about not being able to make the perfect schedule, then remind yourself to start signing up for classes earlier next semester.

If you got dropped from all your classes because you didn't pay your fees before the deadline, then maybe it is time to buy a desk calendar instead of waiting for an e-mail from the administration.

The effort by the student determines one's chance to register in his or her desired classes.

It is not an issue of fairness in the registration process but more an issue of how important getting all your classes is to you.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools