Class registration has begun

By Travis Fick
News Editor

Class registration for the 2009-10 fall semester began on March 23 and will continue until the start of classes next fall, said Susan Edel, Saint Mary’s University registrar.

A common misconception among students is that the registration time a student is assigned is the only time students will be able to register for classes, said Edel. For returning students, class registration is open throughout the summer by accessing Webtools, which allows students to make changes to their schedules without having to go through the registrar’s office.

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“It (Webtools) empowers students to take control of their schedule,” said Edel. “Students are now able to see what holds they have before registration, view and change their schedule online and see if (there are) any openings in previously full classes.”

Before SMU went to online registration, students registered by filling out registration papers. Edel said that each student received a paper copy of the entire course catalog, his or her academic audit and registration forms. “I cannot imagine how many trees were destroyed,” said Edel. “We definitely were not going green.”

Edel said after submitting their registration forms, students would forget about doing anything with their schedules. “It caused a lot of problems,” said Edel. “Students would often submit their forms and then think ‘I do not have to do anything else,’ but now students have more power over their schedules.”

Webtools also allows students to see if they have any holds on their accounts. SMU utilizes three holds. The first is from the business office specifically about any unmet financial obligations. Second, the Wellness Center can place a hold on students’ accounts if any health information is not submitted or up-to-date. Third, second-semester sophomores and older who have not declared a major will also have a hold from Edel’s office.

Edel’s office sends letters to the students and their advisors for those who have yet to declare a major. Students also receive emails explaining the registration process and the holds students may encounter. Edel said she feels that students often ignore these emails from her office. “I think a lot of students, when they see an email from the registrar’s office, they delete it without opening it,” said Edel. “We would like for students to be empowered to do what they can do first before coming to get help.”

Students are able to check if they have any holds on their account by logging in to Webtools and clicking on the Course Registration link, where any holds will be listed.