Registration increases by almost 3,000 as NW shows biggest spurt
by Rawly Bransom, Sports Editor

   Despite budget cuts creating frustrations during the registration process, TCC's enrollment has continued to rise.
   Many classes and sections were cut for both summer semesters and all summer II distance-learning classes were canceled. Even with cuts, summer semester I enrollment was up over 2002, and summer semester II was down only 1 percent.
   "We made a conscious effort to cut down the class offerings in the summer," Dr. Bill Lace, assistant to the chancellor, said.
   The administration also cut some sections this fall because of the budget shortfall. However, other class sizes were increased to make room for students seeking those cut classes.
   "Some of the class sizes are larger," Lace said. "But the performance of the class will not suffer."
   Student registration rose significantly over last year, with 33,195 students registered at the end of registration compared to last year's 30,246 students. When early registration officially began, 20 days before classes started, 17,739 students signed up. Official numbers have not been released, and the official enrollment figures could change until the 12th day of classes.
   NW Campus reported the highest growth in registration with 6,199 students, marking an increase of 930 students. NE Campus gained 898 students, giving it the highest total enrollment with 11,902 students. South Campus had 8,404 students, and SE Campus had 8,714 students enrolled.
   A significant increase in students coupled with classes has made it difficult for many students to register this year, according to Dr. Cathie Jackson, TCC director of administration and records.
   "The students who wait till the last moment always will have more problems," she said.
   On-line registration has been frustrating for some students.
   "The computers have been slow. I had to try to log on eight times, and then it took three times for it to give me my classes," James, a NE Campus student, said while standing in line to pay for his classes.
   Other students chose to register at the administrative offices on each campus. Some stood for an hour or more in lines, which snaked through the halls.
   "The lines were slow. I kept getting sent back and forth from line to line," Alyssa, a student at NE Campus, said while waiting in line. "Yet my experience has been pretty good. I guess it is about normal."
   The administration acknowledges that students were rushing to register for classes this fall, and many classes filled faster than some students could expect.
   "We put the word out on the Web site," Lace said. "We anticipated the fact that people are not getting the classes they want."
   The administration suggests that students start thinking about spring registration. Students should examine their degree plans to see if they can take other classes, consider distance-learning offerings and consider taking classes on different campuses.
   "Students need to plan ahead," Jackson said. "Talk to advisors, get testing done, have alternative choices for classes and register early."