OnWednesday, the Southern University registrar’s office held a convocation in theF.G. Clark Activity Center to discuss some changes with the registrationprocess.
Effectiveat the end of the current spring semester, the university will implement somemodifications to ensure a more efficient registration procedure.
Arenaregistration will be expelled, and current students are asked to register priorto the beginning of the summer break. Arena registration will now only exist asa form of late registration. However, with the new plan in effect, currentstudents will be allowed only one day to register in the fall.
Duringthat day, upperclassmen, graduate students and transfer students will all haveto register. Late registrationwill take effect once classes have already started. Beginning freshmen will register on the day before lateregistration takes place.
“We’retrying to make it comfortable for the students, but to do that we need change,”said SUBR Chancellor Edward R. Jackson.
The weekknown as freshman orientation week will also be eliminated. However, the students who reside oncampus are still advised to report a few days prior to the start of classes.
Accordingto Marvin Allen, coordinator of registration, the changes were applied due toan alteration in the academic calendar. As a result of that change, the registration time was required to shiftalso.
“Thechange is good because now, most students won’t have to come back to campus untilthe day school starts,” Allen said.
Cuttingback on registration time allows Southern to save a reasonable amount of money,and saves students more time to enjoy their summer break.
Registrationservices expects some issues to occur, only because this will be the first timeanything like this has been attempted at the university. Still, they are excited andoptimistic.
“I’mprepared to take it on and whatever licks come with it,” said vice chancellorof enrollment management Norman St. Amant.
Studentsreacted in a positive way.
“I thinkthat Southern has employed something really helpful,” said Janelle Henry, ajunior from Houston. “The later Ihave to come back, the better.”
Registrationtimelines were passed out at the convocation. Students should refer to the timelines for schedules andimportant dates. Registration services suggests that everyone followinstructions in order to ensure a quicker, easier process.
Studentsshould register as quickly as possible, and apply for financial aid at theearliest convenience.
“It’s ateam effort,” Allen said. “We’llaccommodate the students if they do their job and take care of business.”
