Recently, students may have noticed that some courses look low on class seats (people who actually registered for the class) or may have been canceled on MyCap.
Some of these courses may be necessary for graduation, and the cancellation has left some panicked.
To get more information on why courses are being canceled and how this will affect students, I was directed to Associate Provost of Learning Dr. Keirsten Moore.
Moore explained that this comes from the regular review of course enrollment that happens each semester. Courses are usually canceled due to low enrollment, which alters the number of courses needed each semester. Not only were some courses already canceled, but the frequency of course offerings and added sections changed, as well.
For students that need these canceled courses to graduate, Moore said they will try to move a student into other sections, or move another class on the student’s schedule. These alternatives, or talking with an advisor for further instruction are often used.
Department chairs are also given the chance to give input; and if there are a small number of students who do need the course, a small class is run.
Overall, she said that about 20 sections were canceled this semester, 10 had other sections of the same class, six had zero students enrolled and four were electives. Apparently, none of the cancellations are preventing students from graduating.
Professors and adjunct professors are reassigned to teach other classes in their department or signature learning courses. Ten faculty members were reassigned to other courses and seven canceled sections did not have an instructor assigned.
Moore said if a student needs that course to graduate, faculty may treat the course as a course by contract, or the department chair will determine an appropriate course substitution that achieves the program.
If it is a prerequisite course, department chairs work with students to see if sequencing may be altered, or delayed without changing the graduation date.
Overall, the advice given by Dr. Moore was to have students contact advisors or advising@capital.edu if help is needed on this subject. Advisors are very happy to go over issues that may arise out of this situation and are ready to give advice or help come up with a game plan.
