Some Oregon State University students are disillusioned with limited class sizes and class availability for required major classes.
General courses within programs such as English, as well as certain classes like Organic Chemistry Lab, have become notoriously difficult for students to get into as they attempt to stay on track for graduation.
Daniel Myles, one of the two professors who teaches Organic Chemistry Lab, declined to comment. Cassandra Siler, the other professor, did not respond to a request for comment.
English student Sidney Chandler stated in an email: “(What) I am experiencing is … something that affects not just English majors but is harder considering our class sizes and availability.
“There was a new rule that was created the past year that determines grade-level standing based on how many credits one has accumulated. For example, I was going into my senior year, yet I was still junior standing (I had been a full-time student for the entirety of my college career) and was unable to register for 400 level classes due to seniority, or those who were registered as senior standing.”
According to Chandler, many of her fellow English students are facing this issue as well, making the path to graduation uncertain for many students.
The university believes that students should not have an issue with limited class offerings if they take full advantage of the planning tools and support systems offered by the school.
“All students at OSU have access to an adviser who can help them develop and file an educational plan, then adapt their plan each term to build toward on-time graduation,” stated Rebecca Mathern, associate vice provost for academic affairs and university relations. “If a student is struggling to enroll in a particular course that they need to meet a graduation requirement, they should ask their advisor for help.”
Even while communicating with her advisor, however, Chandler has had issues.
“My class load is very constricted during certain quarters, making it so (that) I must take two … classes at the same time (which is not recommended or encouraged by our advisor),” Chandler stated. “I think they (the advisors) are doing their best, but I have learned that she does not always know why things are the way they are (e.g., she did not know why I was junior standing and I had to (find) out why through the registrar’s office).”
Chandler believes that the university should focus on seniority when it comes to registering for classes.
“It seems that they are rewarding lower grade level students for taking more credits,” wrote Chandler. “It’s been a frustrating experience.”
To avoid facing this issue, Chandler recommends that incoming English students take as many classes as they can and get as many prerequisites done as soon as possible.
“There aren’t many class options when it comes to English majors, so do what you can early on,” Chandler wrote.
Mathern stressed that a plan is key for students to stay on track and that many students don’t realize that the MyDegrees planner is an important part of how the university anticipates demand for courses.
“If students do not fill it out,” Mathern stated, “it becomes harder for academic units to know what courses students need in future terms.”
According to Mathern, the university also uses “other information sources beyond planner data such as past enrollment trends, the overall student population growth, and declared majors and minors – to predict course demand.”
Mathern recommends that students take advantage of their academic advisor, the online scheduler tool and prioritize registering for popular courses first in order to stay on track.
