Honors College Ambassadors propose new registration system

The proposed system intends to attract high-ability students to MU.

By Kaylen Ralph

Published Feb. 5, 2010

The Honors College Ambassadors approached the University Registrar with a proposal to modify the means by which Honors College students register for classes.

According to a letter submitted to the University Registrar by Honors College Ambassador Chairwoman Lauren Hibler, the ambassadors believe a priority-based system for registering would serve as a perk to attract honors and high-ability students during a time when economic and financial strain might serve as a deterrent to attracting high-ability students to MU.

"The Honors College Ambassadors, student representatives of the Honors College, propose modifying the means of assigning registration dates," Hibler said in the letter. "We recommend that students designated as Honors-eligible in each class year be allowed to register before the non-honors-eligible students of their year."

With this proposed system, honors freshmen would register before non-honors freshmen but after non-honors sophomores, the letter stated.

Registrar Brenda Selman approached the Missouri Students Association Academic Affairs Committee with the proposal in an effort to gauge student support for the initiative. Selman presented the rationale for the request as well as a counter-point proposal.

She explained the rationale for the request for the new system as being a perk to attract honors and high ability students by allowing honors students the first opportunity to enroll in the "best" classes before they fill up. She also described the proposal as a cost-neutral benefit, meaning it would require no money, just a re-ordering of the system.

As a counterpoint, Selman disproved the Honors College Ambassadors’ claim ACT scores were falling and addressed the fact most Association of American Universities and Big 12 schools do not extend this opportunity to their high-achieving students. Some of the schools that do participate noted it had caused controversy with other constituents on campus who felt they deserved the same benefit.

After the proposal, Senate Speaker Amanda Shelton said she would need to hear more about the number of students who utilize this opportunity at other schools where it is offered.

"So at this point, I would say we are still gathering feedback and would welcome outside student input before we make a recommendation to the Registrar," Shelton said.

Shelton also mentioned her desire to work with Selman on a number of issues pertaining to registration including a waiting list for students attempting to enroll in full classes, better course descriptions on myZou and a longer enrollment "shopping period."