The end of an era?
Editorial Board
Issue date: 11/13/09 Section: Ed-Op
It's the morning of class registration, you've picked out the courses you want and you've got your schedule mapped out just the way you like it-one problem: when you wake up and log on to DrexelOne at 6 a.m., you realize that you've got a financial hold because your federal loan hasn't been disbursed yet. You go to the bursar's office to take care of it and they send you to the financial aid office. After this happens multiple times, you wonder how it's possible that offices so closely related as the bursar and financial aid speak such different languages.
After finally getting everything straightened out a few days later, you find out one of your classes was canceled. And, of course, it's a prerequisite for a class you were going to take next term. Time to redo that academic plan.
Later, you're on co-op, working difficult 40-hour weeks to scrounge up some rent, and you figure, why don't I take a class while I'm working to try to catch up, or maybe even get ahead? But Drexel policy restricts you from taking online courses during co-op-despite the fact that many students co-op outside the region, and even those who are in the area still may have difficulty physically getting to campus on time for a night class.
Since coming to Drexel, you'd planned to get your master's degree through the BS/MS program, which admissions folks told you costs the same as just doing undergraduate studies as long as you finish on time. So you play "schedule Tetris" for your first couple years and start taking master's classes, only to find out that you're going to be billed extra. Fan-freakin'-tastic.
You decide you'd like to switch your major-you get the Shaft. You decide to switch from the 5-year program to the 4-year program-you get the Shaft. You try to add a minor-you get the Shaft. You try to get something done in a timely, efficient manner that is free from red tape, bureaucracy, waiting periods and multiple trips from department to department-and, surprise! You get the Shaft.
After finally getting everything straightened out a few days later, you find out one of your classes was canceled. And, of course, it's a prerequisite for a class you were going to take next term. Time to redo that academic plan.
Later, you're on co-op, working difficult 40-hour weeks to scrounge up some rent, and you figure, why don't I take a class while I'm working to try to catch up, or maybe even get ahead? But Drexel policy restricts you from taking online courses during co-op-despite the fact that many students co-op outside the region, and even those who are in the area still may have difficulty physically getting to campus on time for a night class.
Since coming to Drexel, you'd planned to get your master's degree through the BS/MS program, which admissions folks told you costs the same as just doing undergraduate studies as long as you finish on time. So you play "schedule Tetris" for your first couple years and start taking master's classes, only to find out that you're going to be billed extra. Fan-freakin'-tastic.
You decide you'd like to switch your major-you get the Shaft. You decide to switch from the 5-year program to the 4-year program-you get the Shaft. You try to add a minor-you get the Shaft. You try to get something done in a timely, efficient manner that is free from red tape, bureaucracy, waiting periods and multiple trips from department to department-and, surprise! You get the Shaft.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 6
Steve Dobbs
posted 11/13/09 @ 9:56 AM EST
Hmmm, I must be an anomaly, because I've taken online classes, I've taken classes during co-op, I've never had problems registering for classes, I've never had a financial hold in over 4 years, even though I have Stafford loans, PA grants, Pell grants, etc. (Continued…)
Jordan
posted 11/13/09 @ 12:44 PM EST
Steve, I see where you're coming from, but I just want to give you my most recent case.
I'm a senior, biology major, and there are just certain core classes I must take to graduate on time, classes I was all set to register for. (Continued…)
Katie
posted 11/15/09 @ 6:06 PM EST
The administration always claims they don't know what we're talking about when we mentioned the shaft, the bureaucracy, and the red tape. This article sums it up perfectly I think and highlights some of the common issues we deal with, although there are countless other ones. (Continued…)
Greg
posted 11/17/09 @ 4:33 PM EST
I shudder at aiming the words "heed Obama's advice" at the Drexel administration.
I agree with Steve above. Generally if you're pro-active and on top of your stuff, you'll be okay. (Continued…)
Lev D. Zilbermints
posted 11/17/09 @ 9:23 PM EST
I am 2005 alumnus of Rutgers University, Newark campus. My degree is Master's in Political Science.
After reading the crap that Drexel students go through, I can sympathize. (Continued…)
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