Registration time is here, and the questions on everyone’s mind are “When is my registration date?” and “how do I get a better registration date?”
Registration dates are given according to the quality points a student receives. “Quality points are calculated by taking the number of units a student has and multiplying that number by his or her grade points. The more units a student takes and the better grades he has add up to a better quality score which gives them a better registration date,” said Doris Griffin, Admissions and Records Manager for Fresno City College. First time students are given a later registration date because the units they are taking and the grades received in their first semester are still unavailable, therefore their quality points are set to 0.
Student registration started on Oct. 22, and it goes on for 10 continuous days. The first two days are priority registration days. These first days of registration are awarded to students who are part of the Honors program, DSP&S, student athletes, SSSP, and a few other programs at FCC. “I was able to register for my classes a week ago because I am involved with EOP&S, and was able to get all the classes I needed,” said Britney Sosa, an FCC student.
Registration for all other students began on Oct. 26. Also, students can register at any time after their assigned registration date.
If students have any kind of holds, they will still be assigned a registration date but will not be able to register until they take care of their holds. Depending on the type of hold they have they can be asked to do different things to take care of it.
There are a few things that can prevent students from registering, including, academic probation which happens when a student doesn’t have good academic standing. This can be taken care of by attending a group probation session or meeting with a counselor individually. Individual situations are subject to change, depending on the different situations or the level of probation. Some types of holds are library holds, business holds, and academic holds.
Budget cuts have affected FCC significantly. Griffin said that registration services have not been restricted, but that cuts have “…decreased the number of days counselors are available and the number of class sessions available to students. Also, waiting times have increased to see counselors.” Although it is unlikely for more sessions to be opened because of the budget, Griffin encourages students to at least try and be waitlisted.
To avoid some of the long lines associated with registering in person with a counselor, students can also register at home using Webadvisor or touchtone. Students don’t have to wait until 8 am on their registration date to register at the counseling center, they can do it at home at an earlier time and before other students scheduled on the same date register for sessions. To be able to use these services, students have to be in good academic standing. Griffin said that about 30% of FCC students registered online or using touchtone last semester, counting only initial registration. Griffin said, “Students should check Webadvisor for their registration date and check for any holds they might have. Become very familiar with the college catalog and talk to a counselor to get advice on what classes to take.”