If you thought the angst of class registration was past, think again. It will be time to reconsider the benefits of the X and Y schedule again, even before we return to campus in September. Students do have a brief respite though-until August 15.
For the next month, the computers at Course Services will be whirring as they attempt to match each person’s EC class requests (in priority order, of course) with the available sections. It may seem like a long time to run a computer program, but there is a lot more to it, according to Sheila Connelly of MBA Course Services.
“We do a test run of the computer assignment program and then work with the EC Faculty Chair to try and respond to the student demand shown in these results wherever if possible,” she said. “It does take some time to study the results and investigate responses.”
Unfortunately, Connelly couldn’t give any hints about who will be lucky enough to have Clay Christensen on their schedule next year. In mid-August, each student will receive their EC schedule, along with a list of classes with actual enrollment versus capacity for all those whose priorities changed between class registration and September. The Add/Drop process (an online form) will be available beginning August 27, if it’s clear that a schedule change is necessary.
Before classes start, students need to access an online poll to order their case materials for the Fall courses-up to 10 can be ordered initially. These will be available starting August 27. Connelly mentioned, however, that on Tuesday, Sept. 4, the office will only be open in the morning for material pick-ups, so don’t get back too late!
If you still can’t figure out what you want to take, go shopping. The first two days of the semester, Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 5 and 6, are X and Y “shopping days”, where students are allowed to attend as many available classes as they wish (they have to prepare for all of them, though) to make scheduling determinations. Professors will be outlining course syllabi, requirements and expectations during those first classes to help students decide. The deadline for all Add/Drop forms to be completed is 6 p.m. on Sept. 6, and students must make any decisions about independent study or field study projects even earlier-by 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 6-using a separate online tool.
Finally, Connelly urged all students to be back on campus by Tuesday, Sept. 4 both for class material pick-up as well as to reconvene with section mates at EC welcome parties to share the events of our only three-week vacation this year.
