Registration Appointment Checklist
See the Planning for Registration section of the Advising Handbook for an overview of what we tell students. They should come to you with a draft schedule (and alternates). If they are not prepared, discuss with them the tools they need to consult to prepare a draft. These are the College Progress Report (available via my.newpaltz.edu), the Schedule of Classes (available on-line via my.newpaltz.edu), the on-line Undergraduate Catalog and/or departmental webpages (for major/minor requirements and course descriptions). This is meant as a "teachable moment" not a punishment.
What major(s) is the student exploring or pursuing? Is he or she taking courses toward that end? Cross-check departmental guide sheets and departmental webpages. Also, see if grades in h.s. and/or college confirm the major choice. If the student needs extra assistance with choosing a major, refer them to the Career Resource Center, which offers a range of major decision-making resources. Also refer them to the Academic Advising website, where they can access the document, Deciding on a Major? A Practical Guide for Choosing Your College Major.
Is the student registered for courses appropriately for which placement information is available? This is true for math (MPL is listed on College Progress Report) and foreign language (French and Spanish Placement exams are in advising file if student took them, otherwise placement is based on guidelines in the Advising Handbook).
Is the student registered for the appropriate course level? If the student is a freshman (under 30 credits) he/she is restricted to 100 and 200 level courses. This can be overridden by Permission of Instructor (which the student would have to obtain) or placement (for math or language), which the advisor can authorize (initials on Course Registration Form--phone/computer will not allow).
Is the student registered for a course that has a pre or co-requisite? Information available in the Schedule of Classes.
Does the student have 14-16 credits planned? Twelve is the minimum for full-time, but students must average 15 credits a semester to graduate in 4 years. Obviously decisions about courseload must include considerations about work, family, co-curricular involvement, etc.
Are the courses the student selected meeting the GE categories he/she intends? (Cross- check course numbers against Progress Report and GE lists).
Does the student have a hold? This information is available to the student via my.newpaltz.edu. Holds are typically not enforced during Advance Registration, but must be resolved by a given date or the student will be de-registered. Also, if the student does not register during Advance Registration he or she will be blocked.
Does the student's schedule avoid common pitfalls? For example, no more than two classes "back to back"; an early morning class and a late night class on the same day; a particularly demanding course or a course in an area of weakness, at the end of a long day. Ideally students should spread their academic schedules over four or five days, and evenly place their courses throughout the day.
