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
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