MU Student Union Online

Issue G09-001 Subject Approval in Faculty of Arts

Description: The Faculty of Arts is requiring manual approval of subject changes. This is causing significant delays during the current peak period of subject changes and there is a backlog of requests. Students report having to wait two weeks or more despite having submitted changes in mid-July. Students who are trying to change subjects cannot enroll in a tutorial via Alloc8 or use the LMS while approval is pending.

This is also not the first time this problem has been experienced. It has become much more noticeable and apparent since semester 2, 2008.

Response: Linda Jackson, The Manager of the Arts and Music Student Centre responded rapidly to the issue. The substance of her response is recorded below:

One of the great attributes of the programs within the Faculty of Arts, is the enormous range of subject choice. With this flexibility comes a greater opportunity for students to make wrong subject choices, potentially putting them at risk of not completing their degree.
A decision was made by the Faculty to not allow the system to automatically approve course plans. This decision was not taken lightly as it creates an enormous demand on staff to manually check every enrolment. It was agreed, however, that this process was far more desirable than having to deal with students who enrolled in subjects that would not result in them achieving their desired major within the course.

The opportunity to employ casuals to perform this particular task is not an option, as detailed knowledge of the structure of the programs is required. With over 40 majors available within the BA alone, course planning requires staff with in depth training and understanding of both the Heritage and New Generation degrees. The advice we are currently giving to students is to attend classes as usual. We are very mindful of the ramifications of the delays; and we have already completed 3,800 course plans.

We stand by the original decision to assist students enrolled in the Faculty of Arts to manage their course plans and ask for your patience over the next week or so.

UPDATE 01-08-2009: The Faculty has announced an adjustment to the allocation of time to checking course plans in favour of offering increased levels of course advice. Thank you to the Faculty for listening to student concerns and taking positive action.

The following was circulated in the ‘Arts Announcements Bulletin S2 Week 1’:

1 Course Plans for Semester 2, 2009

Dear Students,

Some time ago, the Faculty of Arts made a decision to manually check every student’s enrolment. The decision was driven by a desire to ensure accuracy of individual enrolments due to the vast range of subject selection available to students enrolled in Arts courses.

One of the great benefits of an Arts course is the enormous flexibility. At the undergraduate level alone there are over 40 majors available. However, a little known fact is that every time a student changes a subject on-line, it generates another course plan to be checked and creates delays in students being able to access systems such as Alloc8 and the LMS.

It is apparent, that students are very capable and with our support will take responsibility for their academic careers. With this in mind, staff in the Arts and Music Student Centre will be limiting the amount of checking that is currently being provided and instead will provide increased course advice appointments for students who wish to discuss their enrolment, where the enrolment is more complex.

Students are always welcome to visit the Arts and Music Student Centre and speak to one of the staff working at the counter to quickly check that they have met any prerequisites or choices affecting their major.

We will monitor this change over the coming months and will keep you informed of any developments. We appreciate your patience over the past few weeks and acknowledge that the delay in course plan approvals has caused inconvenience to many of or students.

Over the coming weeks, you may receive an invitation to attend a course advice session or workshop to discuss life after you have completed your degree, either in the workforce or in considering a graduate program. Please take advantage of this opportunity which will be made available to penultimate and final year students.