Beginning in the Fall 2005 semester, students will not be allowed to sign up for a fifth full-credit class until after Phase I and Phase II registrations.
This change will not affect half-credit courses.
The Recording Committee recently passed this new regulation in an attempt to decrease competition for spots in classes, especially those with low enrollment limits.
In the past, many students signed up for five classes, only to drop one right before the end of Phase II. This left empty seats in popular courses, depriving others of the chance to take those classes.
According to recent statistics compiled by Registrar Christine Cote, almost one-third of students who signed up for five full-credit courses finished their semester with four full-credit courses.
Associate Professor of Biology Barry Logan, the Chair of the Recording Committee, announced the new policy at Tuesday's faculty meeting. There was no opposition.
This policy change is "intended to make the registration process for students as smooth and effective as possible," Logan said.
The job of the Recording Committee, according to the Student Handbook, is to "address matters pertaining to the academic standing of individual students and consider petitions requesting exception to academic policy and procedures."
"One of the charges of the Recording Committee is to discuss and make adjustments to College policy," Logan said. In an effort to increase the likelihood of more students getting into their first-choice courses, many options were explored. The policy change was decided on, according to Logan, because it was the option with the least costs and most benefits for students.
The Recording Committee meets every two weeks. The Committee is composed of four faculty members, administrators, and two students (with one alternate) appointed by the Bowdoin Student Government.