Eight Monday morning, April 1 not only signals the end of Easter weekend, but the beginning of class registration for the fall 2002 semester. Saint Louis University juniors can register for classes starting next week, with sophomore and freshman registering in the successive weeks.
The 2003 course book will be available by either today or tomorrow. Class listings have been posted on WebStar for approximately two weeks, said University Registrar John Jaffry. “WebStar is the most up-to-date option,” Jaffry said.
Jaffry said that the process of compiling information for the course book began in October 2001, when the Office of the Registrar sends out lists of courses offered the previous fall. Changes to these lists are due by November. The Office then sends out proofs of the course book listings to the departments in December.
“The deadline (for the proofs) was at the end of January. We attempted to make sure everything was as current as possible,” Jaffry said.
He acknowledged that changes to course listings will continue to occur. “We’re still receiving updates and changes from all departments,” he said. In the end, the books are “neither cost effective nor accurate,” he added, considering that course changes after the publication of the books could only be publicized through WebStar.
Some students questioned the usefulness of the course book as compared to WebStar.
“I think the course book should come out when the listings are posted on WebStar,” said business school junior Jamie Lucas. “The book is almost useless by the time you register.”
Because several departments did not submit their updated information to the Registrar’s office by the January deadline, the course book
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went to print only two and a half weeks ago.
The number of course books printed has declined during the past few years. This year, 13,000 books have been printed, a decrease from last year’s 15,000 and the previous total of 18,000.
Jaffry said that, eventually, WebStar and online registration would eliminate the need for a course book. The course book has at least one advantage, Jaffry said. “Some students like to peruse a paper copy and see all of the offerings right away.” Copies of the initial course book have been available in each college and schools’ dean’s office.
College of Arts and Sciences junior Frank Gyngard said he wouldn’t be waking up before 8 a.m. on Monday, April 1 to register for next fall’s classes; however, he said he anticipates no problems when registering next week. In the past, Gyngard used the course book, but he said that the book is “pointless when it comes out after the time when some students can sign up for classes.”
Gyngard also pointed out that WebStar has its drawbacks, too. “WebStar can be annoying, since it’s always locking up on you and doesn’t work during certain hours of the night.”
Business school junior Patrick Fox said that even WebStar isn’t always as up-to-date as it should be. “I have professors who are still switching classes and class times,” Fox said. “It’s kind of frustrating.”
A student can register via WebStar only if his or her adviser has granted proper authorization. Anyone with an academic or departmental hold on his or her record would not be able to register online. E-mail notifications of registration dates will be sent out to students within the next several weeks. More information on registration and advising can be found at www.slu.edu/services/asc/.
