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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 9, 1982)
i Us People who need people need an Emerald Heart Throb to be the luckiest people in the world. Tell that special someone how lucky you are by placing your Heart Throb by 1 pm Feb. 11 at the ODE, 300 EMU, UO Bookstore, or EMIT Main Desk. 15 words for SI.50, coining Feb. 12. Va 'S *4 TC -££ Get the ODE Registrar’s job may rival students ’ ‘The staff cares about their work By Caroline Petrich Of the Emerald The Registrar’s office means hassles, late fees and red tape for most students. However bad their image, these clerks are human and without them col lege life might not run as smoothly "The staff out there cares about their work," says Regis trar Wanda Johnson with con viction. ‘‘They’re sensitive to their role ” Johnson and her 26-member team keep track of grades, de Wear your heart on your sleeve EMU WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 10TH gree analyses, graduation requirements, address changes, grade changes, adds/drops, and academic records for every University graduate since 1880 That's the easy part. The hard part is keeping tabs on about 16.000 students who currently are enrolled Her office also handles the more obscure, but just as im portant. duties such as planning graduation ceremonies, mailing the diplomas and storing the leather-bound volumes of all faculty senate meetings since 1880 The office, with a annual budget of $880,000, dominates Oregon Hall’s second floor. Bulging files that contain valuable academic information cover the office Johnson treats those files with deep respect The Regis trar's primary concern is to "protect the integrity" of the records, she says The files have grown to mon strous proportions, despite a 1973 move from Emerald Hall to the present office To alleviate the space problem, Johnson s team has been translating 82.000 records (not including the cumulative academic file) to a data-base fiche system since last June But the reams and reams of paper still are neces sary in the case of a mechanical breakdown For insurance, the office uses a paper and tape back-up system The registrar s office also is responsible for the infamous time schedule of classes Packed with University policy lowdown. class times, registra tion directions and the tuition payment schedule, the time schedule may be one of the most important and most widely read document at the Universi ty A majority of red-tape related problems arise from misread ing, or not reading, the time schedule, Johnson says She attributes this to a lack of student self-management," but "that doesn't mean we don't need to improve our commun ication." Consider this example of a bureaucratic snafu that could have been avoided: Wanting to drop a math class, a student slid his drop/add form r -\ SERVICE Own Lab On Premises STYLE Over 1,000 frames on display SENSITIVE To Your Needs Present this Ad and receive I OFF ON PRESCRIPTION $ I ( _/ EYEWEAR (Frame 8c Lenses) (Offer expires Feb 28. 1982 Only one coupon per person) V 766 E. 13th ST. • 1 BLOCK FROM U OF O • 343-3333 J . They’re sensitive to their role.' Photo by Bob Baker Wanda Johnson through a window at the Regis trar's office The clerk slid it back out after one glance "You need a stamp from the department," he explained "What!" cried the incredulous student "Since when?" "1964,” replied the clerk "Next " Johnson says she regrets scenes like these, that tend to give her workers a bad name for doing their jobs, and leave students frustrated "I think they probably per ceive us as those people who say no' she says "Some times we have to say no ” But not always Johnson proudly discusses the current office system, which has one clerk assigned to a specific number of students When students have questions about their academic records, they see the clerk assigned to their social security number "I think students appreciate that personal touch," Johnson r says. “I'm very conscious of the treatment of students Students will be more acceptive (sic) if they're treated as adults ” Students are polite, "by and large,” Johnson says, adding her own theory that "I may be a mother image with my gray hair ” With all those responsibilties, Johnson says with a smile, “I've had several people say I wouldn't have your job . " She admits feeling frustrated at times, but never bored "Sometimes I get very impa tient " Her release7 A pragmatic philosophy that includes watch ing football and stepping back to get a better perspective "You do the best you can," says Johnson who has worked in the registrar's office since 1962 After working up the of fice ladder, she became the registrar in 1978 "I like to be able to figure out alternatives," Johnson says "It’s challenging, I think " available for academic year 1982-83. Previous Resident Assistant experience is required (at UO or elsewhere). Applications and job descriptions available at Housing Office in Walton Hall. Completed applications must be turned in by Monday, February 15.
