In the beginning of the spring 2008 semester, close to 43,000 students added courses and 23,000 students dropped courses during the first two weeks of the term. At the start of future semesters, these students would be forced to make quicker decisions regarding the classes they want to take.
At Tuesday's Faculty Senate Executive Committee (FSEC) meeting, policy changes were discussed that could result in a much shorter add/drop period for students.
Right now, students can add classes until the second week of a new semester. If the new police change is implemented, students may have only week to decide whether they want to stay in a class or drop the course.
The new policy would allow students to add classes for the first seven days of the semester, and drop courses for the first six days. If students drop classes after this period, it would be considered a resign and they would receive a grade of "R" on their transcript for that course.
The policy changes may take effect as early as fall 2009, depending on when the University installs new student systems, according to William Baumer, director of undergraduate studies.
"This proposal will allow departments to control enrollments in their courses in the second week. Right now, if you have a fully enrolled course in your program, you have a terrible time trying to control who is able to add those courses throughout the drop/add period," Baumer said.
The new policy is being proposed because UB is not in alignment with SUNY's Add/Drop Period Policy. The SUNY policy states that students who drop classes in the first week do not have financial ramification. If a class is dropped during the second week, the student must pay 20 percent of the tuition and fees they would have paid had they remained in the course.
The Faculty members at the meeting generally believe it would be beneficial to bring UB and SUNY policies together to eliminate confusion.
The FSEC also thinks that these changes will eliminate many problems instructors are currently dealing with. The new deadline will encourage students to avoid late tuition fees and other liabilities. The deadline will also eliminate the issues that come with new students entering classes two weeks late, saving instructors from repeating information or lectures. In addition, wait-listed students will be able to enter courses much earlier.
Some students, however, do not feel these changes will benefit them.
"One week isn't enough time, there are only two to three classes at the most during the first week and some students need until the second week to get the feel of the class," said Eric Steehler, a sophomore undecided major.
Christine Biltucci, a sophomore anthropology major, also disagrees with the proposed policy.
"I think it's not enough time, especially if it's a class that you only have once a week. What happens if you miss that class the first day and you only have it again during the second week?" Biltucci asked.
Kathleen Olley, a sophomore classics major, is concerned that the policy will make it difficult for students to organize their schedules.
"The policy does not allow people to rearrange their schedules if the classes they need are full, especially if you are a transfer student because you have to register after the incoming freshman and classes are always full," Olley said.
