A recent crisis in course registration has been brewing and became an ever increasing problem at Dankook University (DKU) as students began registering for the new semester this year. Trading popular subjects between students is a common occurrence, since it is hard to earn regular credits for the correct assigned classes. The number of students registering in some popular liberal arts courses is also overwhelming. Students, who could not enter the class but needed the credits, begin an illegal trade for subject spaces. In fact, there are bulletin board messages such as, ‘ want to buy your space in an online lecture for 100 dollars’and ‘lease sell your 2 credits to me’posted on an online community site of the university.

The main reason behind this situation is the university policy to limit the number of students registering in classes. This problem is compounded by the fact that students these days are adding a second major, following a new trend in university studies. In some schools, it is mandatory to graduate with two different majors. As a result, there is a growing lack of seats in classes. Universities should expand their faculty and classes to solve the problem, but they are already coping with financial affairs shortages. The only other source of the problem comes from the order in which students can enroll in fully registered classes. To explain, there is an order between students when it comes to trying to forcibly register into a class that is already at its capacity. The priority goes to students who are in their final semester, and the next slot is allotted to students who require it for their major. The last group on the priority list goes to students from other majors. These students have the least likely chance to register in full classes since they are not majoring in that subject and they are not in their final semester.

Other universities are facing similar or more serious problems with class registration. A-jou University took disciplinary action against students who sold their spaces in online lectures. Students earned as much as 100 dollars for their spot in the class. The guilty students were accused of causing harm to the university’ healthy academic atmosphere by charging other students for their spots. At Seoul Women’ University, students could not sign up for classes on registration day because the system was overloaded. The school had to postpone the deadline to accommodate all students.

The Dankook Herald (DKH) interviewed Cho Eun-mi, the person in charge of course registration at DKU. DKH asked her what she believed causes the crisis between students and the university when it comes to registration. She said, “ think the chaos is a result of class preferences by students. They prefer classes that do not start early in the morning, and they tend to avoid Monday and Friday classes. There are also certain classes that students want and prefer. For instance, they favor the ‘lifetime sports’class the most. However, we can only open a few of these classes.”

DKH also questioned a regulation which restricts the financial exchange of classes. “hen such a situation occurs, we discuss it with the student affairs team and determine the possible treatment,”she contended. There are solutions for students in their final semester that can’ get into a subject which is mandatory for graduation. She explained, “hey benefit from the forced entry by the regarded department office. Forced entry means the department agrees to add students in their last semester students in the department. They are enrolled through an exception, but it is a legitimate situation.”She also added that mediation between the students and the department office is required before the exception is made. “o explain, we alleviate the standard of cancelling classes for final semester students so that they can successfully graduate. Also, we open other divided classes for the satisfaction of students,”she added.

Finally, DKH asked what special characteristics DKU offered their students for registering in courses. She proudly explained a ‘elf-diagnosis Simulation’(SDS) and ‘hopping Basket System’(SBS). “DS is the great program exclusive to DKU. With SDS, students can see their mandatory classes and their record of registered classes. As a result, choosing mandatory classes becomes easier for students. Through the SBS program, students can see the limited and wanting number of students in each class and therefore can register for classes more easily and comfortably,”she stated. She lastly requested students follow their curriculum properly and enroll in courses suitable for their academic year.

The rights of students to register in classes of their choice should be strictly respected. It is also good for students to adhere to registering for classes in their prearranged curriculum. This is not only better to their future enrollment prospects, but also for themselves. Moreover, other universities might want to invest in more powerful registration systems, as they endure a high volume of concentrated traffic online by students. If students fail to earn enough credits because of this emerging crisis in registration, universities should offer proper countermeasures. Realistic measures for a successful enrollment process are urgently needed in universities now.