Registration for the spring quarter was originally scheduled for January 20 but has been delayed because of a variety of factors. However, registration has been rescheduled to occur on Tuesday, February 3 in the SRC. A course listing may be on the registrar’s office web page as early as Monday, and should also be distributed in campus mail by next Thursday.

Registrar Lou Harmening said that the principle reason for the delay was that he has been unable to finish the schedule of classes. This is typically done a couple of weeks before registration.

Harmening explained that there are several factors that contribute to creating a schedule of courses. He said it takes about two weeks for him to sort through things and develop a schedule of classes. Another contributing factor is that the registrar’s office must rely on data from the various academic departments to accurately determine class offerings.

Harmening explained that one reason for the delay is his own underestimation of the time he would need to complete the schedule of classes. He thought he could finish the schedule in less than the two weeks he estimated, but he was unable to do so.

Curricular changes have also increased the amount of time needed for schedule preparation. Ten years ago, all freshmen took a standard set of classes. Curriculum changes like Fast Track Calculus and Integrated First-Year Curriculum in Science, Engineering, and Mathematics, have enhanced the learning experience for students but complicated the registration process.

Harmening noted that some departments have undergone dramatic curriculum changes recently. Examples include the electrical and computer engineering, mechanical, and chemistry departments. Another issue is that some departments require students in that major to take courses in another department. Difficulties arise because sometimes a lack of communication causes an underestimation of the course load because the number of students required to take the course from other majors were not factored into a course load determination.

Harmening said that he described the difficulties he was having, such as gathering data relating to class offerings, at a recent curriculum committee meeting where the department heads were present. “I’m going to make every effort with [the department heads’] help to have registration for fall quarter on time in April.” Harmening said.

The department heads also have additional difficulties to contend with besides the complexity of curriculum changes. Harmening described that issues such as the impending hiring of a new faculty member make estimation of class offerings difficult within individual departments.

Harmening stressed that the registration delays are in no way caused solely by inadequate information received from the individual departments. Harmening admits that a variety of factors have contributed to this delay.

Harmening said there are several steps involved in the determination of course offerings. First, Harmening asks the department heads to submit teaching load information. This specifies which courses are to be offered, along with section information, and room requirements, such as if a laptop room is required. In addition, a listing of which students are allowed to take the course and if it is required or an elective are submitted. Additional conflicts with individual professors are noted to avoid problems with scheduling.

After receiving that information, Harmening said that he then reviews the details regarding required classes beginning with the freshman level and working up to the junior and senior level. Finally, he completes course information for the HSS courses.

The second step is submission of the planned course listing back to the department heads. Harmening said this helps ensure that his course planning was accurate. Harmening said he also checks for room conflicts to guarantee that he does not inadvertently schedule two classes in the same room simultaneously.

Next, Harmening makes any changes suggested to him by the department heads. A rough draft of a course listing is prepared and sent to the Rose-Hulman print shop to be printed.

Harmening said the print shop has been very helpful when the registrar’s office has experienced delays in scheduling. Harmening said two to three weeks were allowed for the schedule to be printed in the past. He remarked that the last time a registration delay occurred, the print shop was able to print the schedule in a matter of days.

Harmening said that if he and the department heads are able to finalize course offerings as he anticipates, the schedule of classes will be posted on the registrar’s office web site by Monday. “[The class listing] will almost certainly be available on the web site before it is printed.” Harmening said. The web page is accessible by clicking on Registrar’s Office under the Academics section of the main page. A paper copy of the course offerings is expected to be ready to distribute to students via campus mail by Thursday.

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