The computer is ready, and a strategically planned-out schedule rests in-hand.
Past feelings of frustration and triumph are shared among many Baker University students when the time for semester enrollment draws near.
After a student poll, a decision was made to move the online enrollment time from midnight to 7 a.m. to help alleviate problems and technical difficulties from past years.
“Last year after online enrollment, we sent out a survey asking a lot of questions involving academic advising to find out what is, or is not, working,” Judy Smrha, assistant dean for student engagement and success, said. “Because of the responses, a change of time was found to be needed to allow students some type of staff help during enrolling time.”
This semester, Baker staff members are taking extra steps to help students with any needs or problems they may encounter during the enrollment process.
Records and registration staff answered questions about holds placed on student accounts from 11:30-12:30 p.m. Thursday in Harter Union, and will do the same Friday.
Records and registration staff will be available each morning of enrollment, along with IT staff, either by phone or in person to answer any problems students may encounter.
Sophomore Maranda Stendebach finds having staff members available beneficial to those who need the added help, but is concerned about the time conflicting with earlier morning classes.
“I feel it can go one of two ways,” Stendebach said. “It is nice we will have staff on hand to help us, but some people do have class at 8:30 (a.m.) and if the system is running slow, it might make people run late.”
Never faced with past enrollment problems, sophomore Will Schowalter would rather have the time remain at midnight.
“Personally, I do not like the time change,” Schowalter said. “Now, instead of staying up until midnight like I would already be doing, I have to wake up an hour earlier.”
Realizing not all students will be pleased with the adjustment, Smrha and staff wanted to find a way to make the process especially easier for those enrolling for the first time.
“Most comments about the time move have not been directly negative,” Smrha said. “No time we choose can make everyone happy. Most students are just glad to know the staff will be on hand just in case of some bad luck. I am hopeful it will make everything less painful.”
