How Full is "Not Full"?

At a glance:

What: Overflowing classrooms

Where: LBCC campus

Who: From a teacher's and student's perspective

Contact: LBCC Registration office

With more difficulty finding parking spots and fewer seats left in the classrooms, many students are wondering if they are going to fit into their classes. Josh Higgins, an LBCC student has noticed that his calculus class was so full they had run out of chairs. All of the registered students showed up, along with everyone on the wait list and a few people who were just hoping to get into the class.

LBCC has made efforts to place students into classes even if the classes have nothing to do with the student’s major. The reasoning behind this is that students are still able to meet all their credits, allowing them to still get their financial aid and be eligible for early registration. Karelia Stetz-Waters, Technical Writing instructor, said that during In-Service week and the first week of school, she received emails informing her of classes that had some possible space in them. This way she could pass this information on to students who may still be looking for a credit.

Karelia says that from a teacher’s standpoint, they have had to be a little stricter with dropping no-show students so there is room in class. She has only used the teacher's power to drop students once or twice in seven years of teaching. In one class alone this term, she is dropping four students who hadn’t shown up for the first two days. She had a student waiting in the wings that really needed to get into that class. Karelia took the student’s name and number and can now call her to deliver the news that she can take that class.

Despite the fact that classes are full, just hang in there. The administration and the faculty are trying to make room for you. Be willing to keep an open mind and give Underwater Basket Weaving a try. You never know when that skill may come in handy.

Josh Higgins

LBCC student

Karelia Stetz-Waters

Technical Writing Instructor

LBCC Writing Department