2008 Woodie Awards
Quirks of priority registration unfair
The Opinion of the La Voz Weekly Editorial Board
Issue date: 4/21/08 Section: Editorial
The course registration system at De Anza College needs to be re-evaluated because, as it currently stands, there are many inadequacies in the system.
Some students at De Anza receive priority registration, which allows them to register for classes before anyone else. When students are attempting to add classes to their next quarter schedules, most aren't even aware of the long list of students already registered or who are already lined up for registration ahead of them.
The system can be fair, as it is in the case of the honors program, whose members are granted early registration. Early registration allows those students a better chance at enrolling in honors courses, since they are required to take one every quarter.
Students who fall under the categories of the Extended Opportunity Program and Services and Disability Support Services receive early registration, and effective this January, veterans will be allowed to register early as well.
Collectively, their registration process begins two days before the rest of the student population. The California legislature mandates that all EOPS, DSS and veterans students receive priority registration before anyone registering.
But, the De Anza Associated Student Body Senate members also receive priority registration.
This is illogical, as there is no reason why those who represent students should have more rights than the students they're representing.
Another problem with priority registration is the process by which they determine which groups receive priority status. Title V grants the District Board of Trustees power to give certain student groups priority registration for their members, but the names of those groups are not publicized or listed in the catalogue. They should be.
The excuse commonly used to defend a group's priority registration status is that their members need to mold their schedules around whatever special activities they might be engaged in, such as the DASB senators and their committee meetings. But anyone with a job, or any parent who's trying to go to school could argue, understandably, that they deserve to have priority to pick their classes to fit their hectic schedules.
Some students at De Anza receive priority registration, which allows them to register for classes before anyone else. When students are attempting to add classes to their next quarter schedules, most aren't even aware of the long list of students already registered or who are already lined up for registration ahead of them.
The system can be fair, as it is in the case of the honors program, whose members are granted early registration. Early registration allows those students a better chance at enrolling in honors courses, since they are required to take one every quarter.
Students who fall under the categories of the Extended Opportunity Program and Services and Disability Support Services receive early registration, and effective this January, veterans will be allowed to register early as well.
Collectively, their registration process begins two days before the rest of the student population. The California legislature mandates that all EOPS, DSS and veterans students receive priority registration before anyone registering.
But, the De Anza Associated Student Body Senate members also receive priority registration.
This is illogical, as there is no reason why those who represent students should have more rights than the students they're representing.
Another problem with priority registration is the process by which they determine which groups receive priority status. Title V grants the District Board of Trustees power to give certain student groups priority registration for their members, but the names of those groups are not publicized or listed in the catalogue. They should be.
The excuse commonly used to defend a group's priority registration status is that their members need to mold their schedules around whatever special activities they might be engaged in, such as the DASB senators and their committee meetings. But anyone with a job, or any parent who's trying to go to school could argue, understandably, that they deserve to have priority to pick their classes to fit their hectic schedules.
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