University News

WIU Student Registration: Plan Ahead to Stay on Course

February 22, 2013

Share |
Printer friendly version

MACOMB, IL – Western Illinois University students may be familiar with the adage "he who fails to plan, plans to fail." But if not, the Western Illinois University Council of Academic Advisers is encouraging them to become familiar with that idea. Members of the committee are asking students to forgo the failure to plan ahead and encouraging them to make their academic advising appointments early so they an register during the preregistration period in April at Western.

According to Caryn Morgan, lead academic adviser in WIU's College of Arts and Sciences and chair of the Council's campus affairs and public relations sub-committee, in order for students to be cleared to register in April, they need to see their advisers in the remaining days of this month or in March.

"Students need to register on time to ensure they get the courses they need to graduate on time. Higher-demand classes can fill before the student registers; conversely, students run the risk of a course being cancelled if there are not enough people registered for it," Morgan explained. "Registering for classes on their advance registration dates in April enables them to have the widest choice of open classes to build their schedules in a way that works best for them—whether around a work schedule, student activities or choosing classes at a student's peak time."

Morgan also said many undergraduate programs (such as teacher education, business, nursing and social work majors) have prerequisite coursework that must be completed to apply to the major or continue with major coursework. Some of these prerequisites are very popular general education courses, such as "Communication 241-Public Speaking" or "Philosophy 120-Contemporary Moral Problems," and they fill up quickly, she added.

Students can view their Summer/Fall 2013 advance registration appointments on the STARS registration screen, and the Summer and Fall 2013 class schedules are now available on STARS course search. All students can find their individual adviser's contact information via STARS.

"Now is the time for students to make their appointments. For a student to register on his or her assigned date in April, it is best to see his or her advisor before the end of March, and with Spring Break week next month, their time is limited. Many advising areas are booked for two to three weeks in advance, so students should expect some wait time between making their appointments and attending them. They need to be sure to put their appointment times in their phones, planners and/or calendars—whatever they use to stay organized. Students should see their advisers even if they have other holds or encumbrances," Morgan added.

A general summary of registration assignment periods for undergraduate students includes:

  • seniors: April 3, 4, 5, 8
  • juniors: April 5, 8, 9, 10, 11
  • sophomores: April 11, 12, 15, 16
  • freshmen: April 16, 17, 18, 19

Undergraduates can also contact one of the five advising centers on campus to get the process started. Below is a list of how to contact advisors through the various advising centers or departmental advisor by College.

  • Centennial Honors College—For Honors advising, Molly Homer at (309) 298-2228; and for interdisciplinary studies majors, Michele Aurand at (309) 298-2586.

  • In the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), advising is handled within the academic departments. For students majoring in African American studies, the contact is Caryn Morgan—to make appointment, sign up for a time outside of Morgan Hall 203B; biology, Vicki Walters at (309) 298-1546 or stop by Waggoner 372 or send an email to Cindy Drasites at CS-Drasites@wiu.edu; chemistry, Jennifer Sandrik-Rubio—sign up for an appointment time outside of Currens Hall 303; English and journalism, Ellen Poulter at (309) 298-1103 or stop by Simpkins 124; foreign languages, Caryn Morgan—sign up for an appointment time outside of Morgan Hall 203B; geography, Jennifer Sandrik-Rubio—sign up for an appointment time outside Tillman Hall 415; geology, Jennifer Sandrik-Rubio—sign up for an appointment time outside Tillman Hall 415; history, Ralph Heissinger, sign up for an appointment time outside of Morgan Hall 436; liberal arts and sciences, Ralph Heissinger—sign up for an appointment time outside of Morgan Hall 436; mathematics, Caryn Morgan—sign up for an appointment time outside of Morgan Hall 203B; nursing, Theo Schultz at (309) 298-2571; philosophy and religious studies, Caryn Morgan—sign up for an appointment time outside of Morgan Hall 203B; physics, Jennifer Sandrik-Rubio, sign up for an appointment time outside of Currens Hall 303; political science, Sharon Keeling–sign up for an appointment time outside of Morgan 203F; psychology, Kitty Miller—request an appointment using Zimbra's calendar function (instruction sheets are available on the bulletin board outside Waggoner Hall 154); sociology and anthropology, Sharon Keeling—sign up for appointment time outside of Morgan Hall 203F; and women's studies, Caryn Morgan—sign up for an appointment time outside of Morgan Hall 203B.

  • Students in College of Business and Technology (CBT) majoring in accountancy, computer science, economics, finance, human resource management, information systems, management, marketing, network technologies or supply chain management can contact the CBT Advising Center in Stipes Hall 133 at (309) 298-1619. Students majoring in agriculture, construction management, engineering technology or graphic communication (those who are in CBT programs of study and are advised in Knoblauch Hall 110) can contact (309) 298-2100.

  • The College of Fine Arts and Communication (COFAC) also has departmental advising and uses faculty advisors, so appointments are made either by sign-up sheet or by calling the adviser directly. Contacts are: art—call or email faculty member assigned as adviser (find contact information on STARS); broadcasting, Patrick Stout—sign up for an appointment time outside Sallee Hall 300A; communication, Jennifer Grimm—sign up for an appointment time outside Memorial Hall 335; communication sciences and disorders, Kate Pohlpeter—sign up for an appointment time outside Memorial Hall 245; music, call or email a faculty member assigned as adviser (find contact information on STARS); theatre and dance, call or email a faculty member assigned as adviser (find contact information on STARS).

  • Students in the College of Education and Human Services (COEHS) majoring in instructional design and technology, health sciences, law enforcement and justice administration or teacher education can contact the advising center in Horrabin Hall 91 at (309) 298-1438. For athletic training, Renee Polubinsky at (309) 298-1820; for kinesiology (exercise science, physical education), Julie Standard at (309) 298-1820 or stop by Brophy Hall 220; for dietetics, fashion merchandising and hospitality (DFMH), Cheryl Hutchins at (309) 298-1085 or stop by Knoblauch Hall 140; social work, Cindy Dadello at (309) 298-1071; and recreation, park and tourism administration, Keri Allison at (309) 298-1967. All other COEHS majors are part of the Advising Center in HH 91.

  • General studies degree program advisers are located in Horrabin Hall 6 and can be contacted at (309) 298-1929.

  • The University Advising and Academic Services Center (UAASC) in Memorial Hall (lower level) provides advising for students in the University Advising (undecided) program, and students accepted through the Office of Academic Services. Call (309) 298-1846 or (309) 298-1871 to make an appointment.

  • Quad Cities students should contact the WIU-QC Advising Center. Information on individual department advisers for WIU-QC academic departments can be found at wiu.edu/qc/academics/advising.php.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing