Getting ahead of the curve

Who deserves priorty registration?

Priority registration for the veterans, first-generation college attendees and the disabled is one of the most important things in assisting them attend college.

The argument over the distribution of priority registration is a heated one, with fewer classes offered each semester, who should get first dibs?

Currently, priority registration is only given to students who are part of Extended Opportunity Program and Services (EOPS), Special Services, Foster and Kinship Care Education (FKCE), or are eligible for Veteran’s Administration (VA) benefits.

This is fair, considering that these programs support those that might not be able to attend college otherwise.

The students in these programs make up a small portion of the Pierce community and do not significantly affect the enrollment of the rest of the population.

Despite their priority, these students face the same issues that plague the rest of Pierce students such as getting necessary core classes like math, science and English.

Not to mention, the universal issue of registration procrastination.

For the students who don’t qualify for priority registration at Pierce, the only option they are left with is to crash classes in hopes of grabbing one they need to move on with college.

Academically geared students new to Pierce find these same crowded classrooms and are faced with the same issue as the nearly transferable students: the inability to get classes because of budget cuts and classroom shoppers that hold seats without the intent of taking the course.

In light of the new three attempts Policy announced in February, the Pierce administration should grant higher priority registration for both near-transferable students and the academically successful.

Those who would like to participate would submit documentation and their needs to the Admissions Office three months before the registration date to show their dedication to learning, this would allow time for cancellation or processing.

This extra effort to secure a future should be acknowledged and rewarded to promote the proactive pursuit of education.