Incoming freshmen will get to do all the things at CI that upperclassmen did, except for one thing: register.
The University has restructured Colonial Inauguration to leave out class registration.
Members of the class of 2010 choose their classes and register online before coming to CI. In previous years, students registered for classes on the last day of orientation.
“Basically, the concept was that we could do better,” Student Activities Center Director Tim Miller said.
“In the past, CI didn’t end well, but the new system will let people focus on registration instead of the dozens of other things on your mind.”
The change came after years of negative feedback from incoming students who struggled to pick a schedule during the thirty-minute registration sessions held during CI, Miller said.
“We felt that registration had to be seen as a more reflective process,” said Fred Siegel, associate vice president and dean of freshmen. “(The new system) gives freshmen an opportunity to be more reflective and less stressed-out.”
As in past years, students will meet with a faculty member to review their schedules, but this year students will already have a schedule constructed when meeting with an adviser. Miller believes that one of the biggest strengths of the new system is that incoming freshmen will be able to discuss a concrete schedule at CI.
“They have their first shot at registering at home and then come to CI and can talk about something instead of just a theoretical schedule,” he said. “Of course, if a student registered for three senior seminars, that’s something he can discuss with the faculty adviser.”
GW has put in place several ways for students to get help during the registration process including a tutorial system on Blackboard, the University’s online forum, and access to the registrar’s office for students who have questions.
“We’ve been incredibly available,” Siegel said.
“We’re absolutely delighted with the number of people who have successfully registered,” Siegel added. “I have a feeling that 80 to 85 percent of the freshman class will be registered by the time they get to CI.”
University Registrar Elizabeth Amundson said there are common problems that are likely to occur no matter when students register for classes. Like in past years, all are able to make changes to their schedule from July 10 up until the start of the school year.
