Changes Aimed to Help Students Graduate, Officials Say

AUSTIN, Texas (March 11, 2009) – The Austin Community College District has announced a new, earlier registration process starting this spring to provide students wider access to the classes they need to graduate.

Current or returning students can register for fall classes between May 18 and June 12, depending on how many credits they have. Students closest to graduation will continue to have first priority, and their eligibility periods have been extended over three or four days.

“Our students have told us the ability to enroll in a class has been a major barrier to graduating in a timely manner,” says Dr. Kathleen Christensen, vice president of student support and success systems. “The new registration process will give them wider access to key classes before they fill.”

Other early registration benefits include:
• Students will have more time to plan and to meet with their advisors. Registering earlier doesn’t mean students have to pay earlier, because payment deadlines have been extended as well.
• Departments can monitor which classes are in highest demand and be able adjust course offerings earlier.

The most current course listings, registration information and payment deadlines will be online at austincc.edu/register. “I think students will be very pleasantly surprised by how much they can accomplish through ACC’s online services,” Christensen says.