Ever logged on Tigerweb and intentionally registered for a too-rigorous course load with the idea of dropping the least desirable one?Such a practice can be burdensome to students as well as University of Memphis officials wanting to see students graduate timely.
Jim Redmond, chairman of The U of M's Journalism Department, said students who fail to register in time for a required class suffer when another student, already in the class, drops, leaving both a vacant seat and an inconvenienced student.
"It reduces the number of successful completions per year," Redmond said. "One of the key measures of a successful program is the number of graduates we produce in a timely manner."
Competition is the key to getting in those desired classes, Redmond said, and leaves latecomers with no options.
"In our system, he who registers early is fine," Redmond said. "But he who registers late is rolling the dice."
During fall and spring semesters, the cost for a full-time student stays stationary. The policy is designed to ease the financial sting for students who genuinely want to take many classes.
Redmond agreed, but also said the policy encourages students to pack their schedules full of classes, then drop.
"It encourages students to overload themselves and bail later," Redmond said.
Students may enter a class late if there's an opening, but the timeframe is short - four days to be exact, based on numbers in fall 2004.
Noel Schwartz, The U of M's Registrar, said students must be permitted to drop classes, but acknowledged there can be a financial consequence.
"It's not a new situation and not unique to journalism," Schwartz said.
Schwartz mentioned the percentage refunds given to students who drop a class before deadline. She said The University doesn't typically collect money lost from late arrivals because there usually aren't any.
The dropping of classes may create inefficiency, but the Ralph Albanese, chairman of the foreign languages department, said fewer students can create a better learning experience.
Many lower division foreign language classes are degree requirements, and as a result, the classes are usually maxed out, with up to 30 students in a classroom.
"We're supposed to offer individual instruction," Albanese said. "We can't do that with all 30 students in a room. So the occasional drop actually makes things more manageable."
Junior business major David Spratlin said he's dropped a few classes in his college career, but understands the predicament it can have on efficiency.
He said he's been in classes that have thinned out considerably after only two weeks.
"I can understand the problem even though I do it all the time."Others stick out the class, no matter how miserable it seems.
"I've never dropped a class before," said Emily Griffin, junior education major. "If I'm in it, I'm in it."
