Students are expressing concern over the new registration policies that were put into effect this November.

Registration occurred at 7 a.m. on the dates students were told to register on, but these dates followed new guidelines that many students did not understand. In addition, the system for priority registration was changed, and many students who were once receiving priority no longer had that privilege.

Some students complained that they did not have access to the course schedule at an earlier date. Others were not able to register for classes they needed.

“Registration dates should be at 12 a.m. rather than 7 a.m.!” said continuing student Sereen Hanhan. “And class schedules should come out way earlier in paper and in electronic forms.”

The way registration would be handled was explained to the District Enrollment Services Committee by Robin Richards. Registration would follow the California Education Code and Title 5, which organizes student registration into four groups, with priority registration lasting two weeks.

The first group had the first two days of registration to themselves. These people include EOPS, DSPS and CalWorks students as well as veterans and students in foster care.

The second group has days three through eight to register. These people are continuing students with Student Educational Plans on file, but the number of units earned is taken into account.

The third group, which consists of new students completing matriculation, has days nine through 12 to register. This group includes students participating in the Priority Enrollment Program for graduating high school seniors and middle college students. This is where priority registration ends. Days 13 and after are assigned to the fourth group, a group consisting of all other students including those who are concurrently enrolled.

Many students are concerned because they do not understand why people were given the registration dates they were given. Some students claim that the registration dates seem to be random and that some very important factors aren’t taken into consideration.

“I don’t like how they choose our dates,” said Amany Salah, a continuing student at Skyline. “It should be first come, first serve. The people who are more responsible and care to sign up for class should be first.”

In a recent email sent out by the Honors Transfer Program, students were told that priority registration would be given to students based on the number of units completed as well as if the students had a current Student Educational Plan including the recommended courses for spring 2012 on file. This is some of the only information students are aware of. 

Melissa Komadina, one of Skyline’s academic counselors, stated that registration is impacted by many factors. One of them is the growing student population at the college.

There have been problems with registration for years at the college, but many in the counseling department aren’t aware of the grief students go through because students do not inform them.

Students who wish to have priority registration next semester should file a Student Educational Plan with their counselor before Thursday, April 26.

The Skyline College Council will be discussing this topic further at their next meeting.

Although the difference of having a registration date that differs by one day may seem minute at first, it has had an impact on some students.

“Well I’m on top of it, but it’s B.S. how we have different days and now I’m wait-listed,” said Kevin Artiga, a Skyline student.