The Online Reflector

The whole process of registration is going to be changing soon.

Recently, a group of 506 seniors were asked to test out the new online registration procedure, which will be made available to all students for the fall 2012 semester.

According to Kristine Dozier, associate registrar, the Registrar’s Office has been planning to switch to online registration for years.

“We have wanted to do it, because we are one of the few schools that does not have it. But it kept getting pushed back,” Dozier said.

The new system, called Banner, is the same system Ivy Tech Community College uses as well as many other colleges throughout the country.

There are many advantages to registering online both for students and advisers. Advisers will not be pressed for time during registration and students will not be restricted to 10 or 15 minute appointments with their advisers.

Senior exercise science major Emily Didelot was one of 506 seniors who tested the system.

“The best feature about online registration was that I was able to complete it at my own convenience,” she said. “I had no trouble getting into classes.”

Online registration can benefit others besides the seniors.

“Also, the lower classes will not feel the pressure about trying to be the first to sign up for an appointment,” Dozier said.

Dozier has seen some difficulties with the system that are being worked on currently.

The Registrar’s Office is preparing the program for its launch to the entire student population and trying to better understand it.

The process with the seniors will help the Registrar’s Office be able to gauge what to change about the program.

Didelot had a problem with scheduling her internship, which required her to email her adviser, so he could override the system.

These types of problems are the type that Dozier wants to improve upon, before the program is released for underclassman.

Online registration does require an extra step. After meeting with the faculty advisor and key adviser, the key adviser gives the student an alternate ID/pin that is used to register on the MyUIndy’s Self-Service tab.

“It was not worth the time to meet with my key adviser, just for them to give me an alternate ID, and then having to go back and register myself,” Didelot said.

Dozier and Didelot believe that after all of the problems are worked out, the online process will prove to be beneficial.

“In the future, after faculty and staff work out all the kinks, I think online registration would be helpful,” Didelot said.

She said it is up to the student to be in charge of his or her degree, so the program will give them the opportunity to be more responsible.

“It is not perfect,” Dozier said. “But we want it to be easy as possible for the students and for us.”