Undergraduate Student Government senators are requesting to be added to the Office of the University Registrar’s list of students receiving priority scheduling.
Priority scheduling allows students’ course registration window to open much earlier than the majority of students at the university.
Allowing senators to have priority scheduling would be convenient because of the various commitments and responsibilities senators are required to fulfill to hold the position, said Richard Prescott, a junior in mechanical engineering and speaker of the senate.
“It would be extremely helpful so we can schedule around our meetings,” Prescott said.
Since senators are required to hold office hours and attend weekly meetings, their classes often conflict with these times, which can make scheduling very difficult and tedious. Having an earlier registration window would improve their chances of being able to avoid having to schedule classes during those times, Prescott said.
“It generates a hassle most of the time because we have to find replacements and this leads to poor attendance,” he said.
Although Prescott said a significant number of senators already have priority scheduling as honors students, all USG senators are required to submit formal requests and letters from each senator to the university enrollment committee, which oversees and makes recommendations on priority eligibility.
Varsity athletes, honors and disabled students are the only students who have been officially granted priority scheduling by the Office of the University Registrar, said Gabriella, an information specialist at the office. Company policy would not allow her to give her last name.
Scheduling times for all other students are determined by their graduation status, class rank, waitlist request and number of earned credit hours.
Individual students can contact their college office to try to have their scheduling time moved up, while student groups must submit formal proposals outlining the reasons for their request, Gabriella said.
