Anyone else think the SFU Enrollment system is ridiculous?

BeAnBeAn

Here's my example:

Currently in the CrimeOne program at SFU Surrey. 

First term enrollment no problem. 

Comes the second term and my enrollment date is set for Nov. 22, which at first I didn't think was so bad, because one of the benefits for first-year cohort programs in the "One" programs is to get priority registration in the courses they need especially if the program is campus specific. 

So I thought my date was okay to be so late since I thought my core criminology courses were reserved for me anyway which is why it was so late. 

Comes my enrollment date and time and guess what, all criminology courses are gone like hotcakes and filled up, even my campus specific ones right when my enrollment was released on Nov. 22!

So as a CrimOne student, I can't enroll in my core courses that I need for the program and all my elective choices are filled up too. This has happened to my countless other friends in the same program. Nov. 22 enrollment date... Like COME ON. Why make it that late? I've read numerous complaints with the SFU enrollment system before I even got into this predicament. And to top, I e-mailed multiple advisors about this and get an instant automatic reply that they are being overwhelmed with the questions and can't even give a proper answer.

I'm sure this will be sorted out eventually but I'm also sure that besides myself, every other student in programs with mandatory courses are deeply concerned as hell and/or pissed off with the SFU enrollment system and other shitty services.

Well, that's my two cents. Feel free to vent about your frustrations here too.

phys

You summed it up.

Whydoihavetoregister

Considering Crim is one of the most popular major in SFU, you're up with lots of competition with fellow students. Second even if you're in "a program" they still take account of credit hours and GPA from your last term to determine registration dates. Thirdly it'll only get worst before it gets better because 2nd/3rd year students usually get later registration dates

ryan

You should also keep in mind that this is not specifically a SFU problem. I know people at a bunch of different schools who have the same issues at least a few semesters during their degree.

If the problem is widespread though I would expect sfu to open up some space in some classes. I have seen it done before. Otherwise I guess you will have to take a semester to focus on some electives, or look and see what is available at a different campus. If it is any consolation this problem generally crops us less as you get further along in your degree....Though even then there are some courses that are still notorious to fill up quickly.

BeAnBeAn

Should I just start adding my backup electives though? Because I haven't yet... because the advisors told me they would fix it by the end of this week which I seriously doubt because SFU advisors are utterly useless. If I do add my electives and none of my core courses though and the core courses open up, and I drop my electives, won't I have to pay a penalty? Which is retarded.

ryan

You can drop classes for free until November 30th according to this https://students.sfu.ca/deadlines/spring2013.html

After that and before January 11th is is $50 per class up to a max of $100. I wouldn't be surprised if an advisor would waive it if you talked directly to them though. If you have electives that might fill up it might be a good idea to enrol in them and then re-evaluate things closer to the 30th.

Then again since it is open enrolment now I imagine most kids have finished enrolling, so spots left in classes may remain free for some time.

ryan

*edit* forum bugged out resulting in a double post

EricJ

If you drop a course and add another you won't get penalized, fyi.

"Penalty of $50 for each class dropped (maximum total penalty $100) during this period, if your net course load has decreased."

BeAnBeAn

Thanks a lot for your help ryan, you're really helpful.

EricJ, are you completely sure about that? Speaking from experience?

Because as of right now, I'm enrolled in ZERO courses because I'm waiting for the crim advisors to get me and my friends into the core courses I need for my program then imma add my 3rd course which is an elective (still undecided). 

Whydoihavetoregister

^^Yes what EricJ said is correct. It says *if your net course load or your total course load has decreased then you'll get penalized. 

Annie

SFU is infamous for its enrolment system...

immadiamond

WHAT? WE ONLY HAVE UNTIL NOV. 30/DEC. 1?

I was under the impression that we had until first week of classes in order to drop any classes without fees...regardless if your net course load has decreased? Then wtf, how do students decide whether or not they should drop something if classes for the spring term haven't even started yet...

Right now I'm enrolled in 5 courses because there are 2 I'm debating between dropping, and I was thinking of waiting until the first week of classes to decide. So I guess, if I did wait, I'd have to pay $50?!

But IIRC I remember dropping a course in my first year, like 2 weeks after the first week (it was CHEM 121) and I didn't get fined or anything. My course load went from 4 courses to 3 and they didn't fine me...am i getting something wrong here?

BeAnBeAn

I pretty sure it was just a mistake that they DIDN'T give you a monetary penalty because StudentAidBC lost my contract so I got my student loans late and missed the tuition deadline but I never got the 2% penalty when I eventually got my loans and paid my account balance. 

They're probably just trying to scare you, like in sticking to your courses. But if it only matters about net load then I'm good because I know how many courses imma take just not sure which ones for electives.