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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 24, 1983)
opinion The possibility of preregistration It is ironic that in spite of all its talk of high-technology, the University lags behind Oregon State and all the major West Coast universities in computer registration. Currently, computer registration — even preregistration — is still a mere dream at the University. The major asset of advanced registration by computer is to avoid conflicts between student demands, class offerings and classroom space. In general, preregistration allows the University to plan ahead so students won't have to take as many “leftover" courses due to close outs. Students wishing to take journalism, computer science or physical education classes know what leftover classes are all about. In fact, students are taking second- and third choice classes until their senior year. A preregistration program would encourage academic advising and planning. Since students would submit the courses in advance, the University would, ideally, have time to compensate for under and over-enrollment in classes. Computer registration (pre-registration with all the ad ministrative tasks computerized) would better utilize class space and decrease student hassles with closed classes. It might even put an end to those long, tedious lines. Computer registration would aid Oregon Hall by coor dinating tuition, fees, records, and other administrative infor mation in one system. A University report, compiled in 1981, suggests that a preregistration deposit and increased computerized student financial aid coordination could enable computer registra tion to pay for itself. So, why are we the only school left in the Pac-10 without at least preregistration? The excuse used to be hardware. First we didn’t have the right machine. Then, in 1981, we got an IBM 4341. For the last 10 years registrars and computer center directors have had problems finding the right software program. Art Gloster, head of the computer center until 1981, adopted a program from Appalachian State University that had been modified at the University of Alabama. At the time, that program and others were considered unsuitable for the University. Now computer scientists here and in private industry in form us that they have the capability of adapting a program for preregistration. Some are even willing to do it, despite the history of setbacks. Another long-standing problem is that student records are not computerized. A registration package would require uniting computerized student record files and a rewritten time schedule. This is time consuming, but certainly not an impossible job. It could be accomplished by reorganizing manpower in the registrar’s office. So, what keeps the University from implementing a preregistration program appears to be personnel problems and priorities. The computer center and Oregon Hall have been unable — or have refused, we don’t know which — to work together to establish computer registration. No one person in a position of power seems to want to take responsibility for seeing a preregistration program through. For the University to have computer registration, our old fashioned ways of registering would have to change. Person nel would have to be mandated by the administration to see a program through to completion. It requires courage to enter the computer age. The University has promised students preregistration for the last 10 years. It has studied the possibilites long enough. It is time for a implementation. We make the following suggestions: First, personnel hours must be prioritized at the com puter center and in the registrar’s office to computerize stu dent records and the time schedule of classes. Next, a program, any program that has a reasonable chance of working, should be adopted. The registrar’s Qffice should stop holding out for the program that will meet all their needs to the detriment of the students. During summer term 1983 a test group of 100 to 300 students should use the preregistration system to register for fall classes. If the program works, It should be implemented im mediately. If it needs refinement, hours should be allotted for this. For the last but not least suggestion: the administration should carry through with Its promise to conduct a "demand analysis” — a tally of courses requested by returning — for fall 1983. Computer registration is not the panacea for all the pro blems of student demand, but It's a large step toward becom ing a modern university. letters Mailroom In the Carson mailroom a laundry-basket bin full of let ters, magazines, IRS forms and aerogrammes, some of which date back as far as Christmas, have not yet been delivered to students. These pieces of mail bask in the bin simply because they lack full or correct addresses. A human error on the sender’s part may translate in to as much as a three-week delay in the mailroom. Osten sibly, mailroom workers just don't have time to deal with misaddressed mail. A letter that has been ad dressed without, say, the pro per box number slows down the mail distribution process But a three-week backlog hard ly seems necessary. Even the U. S. Post Office would blush at the thought. I don't blush at the thought, but I do turn red — livid with anger. This kind of carelessness with my mail could potentially cost me money, a job, a friendship or a family tie To say nothing of all the other students who never knew their mail was being treated in a slapdash fashion No doubt the situation has not arisen from laziness among mailroom workers, but rather, from a lack of sufficient personnel to handle the regular volume of mail and par ticularly "problem mail.” I suggest the situation be remedied immediately. You wouldn't let a laundry basket full of dirty clothes sit around and fester for three weeks, so why do it with our mail? Susan Andrews graduate, journalism Academic I am writing in response to the leading article in the Jan. 14 Emerald regarding the Physical Education Depart ment. It is an insult, at least to this member of the GTF teaching staff, that the ‘ (student) can leave behind the academic at mosphere when they enter Esslinger Hall." Granted, the "P.E. Depart ment is open for business," but does this business not also function to educate the students as to the "why" of exercise? I feel it should, and in most classes does. Activity classes, of course, must contain plenty of activi ty, but as well, the student must realize what is happen ing inside their body as they perform certain mvements. It seems to me that knowing such things as correct form and technique and safety fac tors In the weight room, basic structure and function of the human body, as well as other knowledge pertinent to human movement, represent aca demia Hopefully, the student will be offered some guidance in attaining a higher level of fitness and lifestyle through taking certain activity classes Whoever said that a student can forget academia when they enter Esslinger Hall would do well to reconsider their statement. J. David Symons graduate, exercise physiology Causes Michael Cross' article con cerning capital punishment was well supported. However, if Michael had ever studied discrimination in our society, he would quickly realize that Blacks far outnumber other groups on death row. Blacks and other minorities confron ting the adversary system can not afford to pay successful lawyers like F. Lee Bailey. Therefore, they are supported by recent law school graduates just learning the ropes. For example, Hurricane Carter was charged for murder discrimination, unemploy ment and the availability to purchase guns. Europe has a low murder rate and no capital punish ment. The English police carry no guns. I believe the cause of crime must be thoroughly examined before we make a hasty deci sion regarding capital punish ment Why do people murder? Will the fear of death deter the motive to kill? Every increase In the percentage of people unemployed In our nation leads to a corresponding in crease oT murder What's Ronald doing to our society anyway? Drew O'Rouke senior, sociology Oregon daily emerald The Oregon Dally Emerald Is published Monday Ihnniyh Eriday e«c«pt during rum wnai and vacations by the Oregon Daily E mar a Id Publishing Co at the University ol Orsgnn ( uganc OR. 97403 The Emerald operates independently at the UmveriHty with office* on the third Boor ol the Frb Memorial Union and » a member of the Associated Press News and Editorial Ma tt 11 Display Advertising and Business ttt } 711 Classified Advertising AS* 4143 Production IMIlll Circulation sattttt Editor Managing t ditor New* tditoi Assistant New* Editor t diHinat Pago Editor Photo tditoi Sport* Editor Associate Spoil* tditoi Entertainment tditoi Night f ditoi Associate tditoi* Higher Education Department* and School* Shilton! Government t nature* Pontic* Politic* Education Reporter Qonoial Stall Advertising Manager Claatufted Advertising Production Manager Controller Harry Esteve John Heaiy Marian Green Cort Fernald Joan Nyland Bob Baker Mike Riplinger Paul Oanrer Jonathan Siegie John treaty Sandy Johnstone Frank Shaw Richard Burr Sean Meyers Michele Matassa Aleta Zak Darlene Gore Sally Otjar Victoria Koch Jean Ownbey
