As of last week, the unit cap to register for next semester's batch of classes has been reduced to from 17 to 13. Like last semester, students will be able to enroll for 19 units once the cap is lifted, and students can register for 24 units with faculty permission.
The theory behind lowering the cap is to prevent students from signing up for more classes than they need and then dropping them later. Instead, returning students should sign up only for what they absolutely have to take. Vice Provost Jena Burges said that the goal is to maintain an even distribution of classes so that all students can enroll in 12 units to qualify for financial aid.
Burges said, "The lower unit cap has been done in an effort to evenly distribute classes no matter if you register early or late."
Provost Robert Snyder wants to steer away from juniors and seniors getting 15 to 18 units, while freshmen only get six to nine.
Even though seniors will still get to register for classes earlier than underclassmen, they require a specific set of classes that underclassmen aren't ready for yet.
Along with the new unit cap change, new additions have been made in Peoplesoft to help ensure that students get the classes that they need. The system now recognizes if a class needs a pre-requisite, and does not allow students to take classes that they are not prepared for.
Adviser holds will also appear online for every student's account prior to registration in order for students to physically meet with their adviser to discuss classes. The old registration system, WebReg, contained these features before the software switch last year.
"We're hoping that students will work well with their advisers and really prioritize their classes," said Burges.
Manuel Gallerdo, a junior business management major, wants to start a minor. The registration cap might hold him back from doing so, or at least make his stay at HSU longer than he wants it. Gallardeo has been using a four-year plan ever since he was put on academic probation his first semester.
"The academic advisors have been really helpful to me," said Gallerdo. As for the unit cap, "I'll be taking a lighter load," he said. "I think it could be a big deal depending on the load that you take."
Sophmore wildlife major Chloe Joesten recently heard about the new unit cap. She didn't know that that the weekend before the new semester starts, it will go back up to the usual 19 units. Now she says that she will get into most of her classes since the first cap evens the playing field.
"The way that I [register] is that I register for classes that have time conflicts and just crash the courses that I really need, just winging it," said Mario Barajas, engineering major sophmore. "I have made a college career of winging it." Barajas also suggests auditing classes. "If people want to learn something just to learn it, they can just audit. Most students don't know about that."
Brandon Chapin, the president of Associated students, said that so far he received a couple of student complaints about the unit cap. "If you're thinking of taking a PE class, hold off until after the cap lift," recommends Chapin. "Another thing might be to look at the history of the class to see if it fills up quickly."
"It's good for the freshmen that are coming in because they are able to get the classes that they need, but it might hurt juniors and seniors who need these classes to graduate," he said.
Even though the administration hopes that everyone will be able to sign up for more units after the cap is raised, Burges still says be prepared for the worst and assume that the 12 or 13 units you have will be all you will get.
Burges also wants students to know that this was not done to hinder them in any way, but to help them.
"It really is intended to help as many students as possible make as many steps towards graduation as possible."
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