By: TRICIA MCCANN
Staff Writer
The time has come once again for students to begin planning for next semester. Emails to advisers and preparing for spring have many students wondering what lies ahead for their class schedules.
Academic advising will begin on Monday, Oct. 28, and go through the week until Monday, Nov. 11. During this time, advisers encourage students to make appointments and have a general idea of what they want their classes to look like for the spring.
“There are not really any major changes this semester,” said Jeff M. Johnston, registrar of IU South Bend. “Students are able to make appointments sooner and set dates and times earlier. It is important for students to always check for holds on their account and clear them early on so they have a better chance of enrolling in their first choice of classes.”
Scheduling conflicts such as waiting lists, holds and semester availability can be major factors in a student’s academic future. According to Johnston, advanced graduates and students in the honors program will be able to register early on Monday, Nov. 4. From Tuesday, Nov. 5, through Friday, Nov. 8, enrollment appointments are assigned by class beginning with seniors through juniors, sophomores and freshmen.
“This is my first semester,” said student Steve Gearhart. “It’s a little confusing on knowing which classes are offered or if it will be available that semester or in future semesters because it isn’t in catalog form. You know what classes you need from your list but don’t know if it will be offered that semester.”
According to Johnston, solutions to these problems are in the works. “Beginning with the fall of 2014, a degree map will be given to all new, incoming students. All courses offered on their map will be available that semester for registration” explained Johnston.
One small change for the upcoming spring semester has to do with online classes.
“Beginning with spring 2014 enrollment, select online courses from other campuses of Indiana University will be offered state-wide and will appear in the schedule of classes on each campus,” Johnston said.
Students can register for them as if they were offered on their local campus.
Student Alex Manderfeld gave some advice for her peers.
“I think if you are doing it for the first time it’s confusing. If I ever had a problem I just asked my adviser and they were able to help me. Now I can do it on my own,” she said.
To find out who your adviser is or access information on classes and registering, students can visit the IUSB Registrar webpage at www.iusb.edu/registrar.
The Registrar office is located in room 148 of the Administration Building Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Fridays from 8 to 5 p.m.
