SGA senate looks into freshman registration

The Student Government Association opposed the registrar’s plans to shift scheduling responsibilities from advisers to incoming freshmen in the fall 2010 semester in a meeting.

Senate Chair Caitlin Flanagan said at a meeting on Monday the registrar no longer plans to provide incoming students with predetermined schedules.

It is the first time in Rowan’s history that the university plans to delegate the task to freshmen, believing that students can register using major matriculation guides to facilitate the process.

The Senate raised concerns on behalf of future students, arguing that an advisor can provide the best information for success in one’s academic career. Many felt that freshmen should not have to make such serious judgments, especially those who may be entering as undeclared majors.

Those against the idea illustrated the importance of pre-selected schedules. When entering as a declared major, advisers establish schedules that cater to a student’s bachelor requirements. Senators also asked if Rowan seminar courses would remain mandatory as a general education obligation.

Furthermore, students warned against the arduous process of selecting classes that require signatures or possible overrides, which may provide too many issues.

The SGA plans to submit comments and critiques from the open forum to the registrar and university administration regarding the matter.