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PERPLEXED: A new freshman and her father study her New Student Orientation packet on Wednesday, the first day of the freshmen influx. She is among the first class who’s schedules were picked by the academic advising office.
Stop signs and speed bumps aren’t the only changes freshmen didn’t notice about campus. A new scheduling process no longer allows the newcomers to select their classes for fall semester.
The administration decided over the summer that for the first semester, to avoid confusion, freshmen will have their classes scheduled for them, 8 a.m. classes included.
When registering for New Student Orientation, freshmen were asked a series of questions, such as past likes and dislikes in classes, as well as interests in international programs. The responses were taken and translated into first semester classes. The incoming freshmen were not notified that their responses would lead to their schedules.
Student schedules are based on general education requirement classes and include at least one major-specific class. Students who have not declared a major, were limited to G.E. courses and classes based upon their responses to the questionnaire. For example, if a student does not plan to study abroad, then he or she will not be assigned to a Humanities class during the first semester because of how the two programs intertwine.
Most freshmen were given 15 to 17 units, with some exceptions made for athletes and students with unique situations.
“If a student has a scheduling conflict, the problem was effectively taken care of during New Student Orientation,” said Yvonne Carroll, an academic advising associate.
This form of scheduling is new to Pepperdine and will probably remain the process for the future incoming freshman class; transfers are exempt for this process. The changes were made to make the process easier for freshmen to have the correct classes, Carroll said.
“At past NSO’s we have been uncomfortable with the freshman in the Fieldhouse attempting to find the right classes and the problem of closed classes with the new system this confusion is eliminated” Carroll said.
Many members of the incoming freshmen class say they are pleased with the administration’s decision to assist in the scheduling process.
“I didn’t mind having the school pick our classes this semester,” freshman Michelle Sutherland said. “Some of my friends said that it was difficult to pick their own classes at other schools, so I am satisfied with the decision.”
Freshman Clara Spaulding agreed.
“I think that this new process of scheduling is very thoughtful of the administration,” she said. “It helped relieve some of the stress freshman have … It’s a new plan and I think it will develop into a good arrangement.”
Although many freshmen agreed that the scheduling is helpful, some doubt its efficiency.
“I don’t especially like the new system,” freshman Juanita Ayala said. “There was no information about scheduling so I was afraid that I missed the deadline. When I was given my schedule, it had random classes that I do not have an interest in.”
Some upperclassmen also find the new form of scheduling confusing.
“The new process has its benefits and its letdowns,” junior Kirk Henderson said. “The freshman had no say in their scheduling. However the assigned schedules are easier for the larger classes.”
Carroll said the change is aimed to take pressure off the new students.
“The ultimate goal of the change is to ensure ease and swiftness to the class selection process and to help freshman to start off on the right track,” Carroll said.
MALIBU, CA
