Changes to Priority Registration Process Benefit Students

A new university policy outlines the process for deciding the order in which students register for classes.

The policy is designed to stress fairness, especially for those students with limited access to specialized classes or courses needed for graduation. It defines the categories of need to merit priority registration.

It also helps maximize the possibility for all students to find availability of courses required for graduation on a timely basis.

The policy outlines priority based on status as a graduate or law student, those registered with the Office of Disability Services, students participating in the Cooperative Education Program, and NCAA student athletes.

It also includes a shift in priority for Honors College students, who will retain priority registration, but only within their academic classification based on earned hours. For example, Honors College students classified as seniors will be able to register before other seniors, Honors juniors will be able to register before other juniors, but after all seniors, and so on.

As Honors College enrollment continues to grow, the previous process put more stress on upperclassmen finding access to courses they need for graduation.  That concern prompted the Student Government Association to pass a resolution last year to recommend changes to the class registration procedures “that would be beneficial to the entire student body while also rewarding the students enrolled in the University Honors College.”

The policy supports that notion by ensuring Honors College students retain their priority registration status within their credit-hour classification group.

The policy, available at http://registrar.ua.edu/doc/uploads/Priority-Registration-Policy.pdf, followed the appropriate campus review and approval process and will take effect immediately while students plan for spring semester registration cycles.