[353] MTSU students will get the message about April 3-14 priority registration

  

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Last fall, MTSU students received a friendly reminder from McCallie Dining and Raider Zone cashiers and servers that it was time to register for spring semester classes.

Those same smiling faces may be at it again as it’s almost time for students to register for summer and fall classes.

Priority registration will be April 3-14. Students can access the current MTSU Registration Guide at http://mtsu.edu/registration/registration-guide.php.

“Dining staff were so helpful last year — professional, collegial and their assistance is much appreciated,” said Rick Sluder, vice provost for Student Success and dean of the University College.

“We have received several comments from colleagues from across the country about the work going on at MTSU to involve all areas of campus to change the culture about the importance of early registration for the next semester,” Sluder added. “They especially appreciated our engagement of dining staff in this endeavor.”

Sluder said other methods of providing friendly reminders about registration include university residence halls staff, advisers and digital signage in advising centers and the James E. Walker Library.

Tyler Henson, assistant director in the Scheduling Center in the Student Services and Admissions Center, said priority registration for summer and fall is crucial for currently enrolled students to take advantage of because they can register ahead of thousands of new incoming first-year and transfer students.

“Those who wait risk losing their seats as early as the Monday after priority registration when the new students can register for summer courses,” Henson said. “So it’s in their best interest to register at their assigned time and not wait until August or even May to sign up for fall classes.”

Advisers have been working since the start of the fall 2016 semester to make students aware of the importance of having a plan, mapping their degree progress, and staying on track, Sluder said.

“Part of this educational process is to encourage students to get their courses set by taking advantage of priority registration,” Sluder added. “MTSU’s complete focus on the student, keeping them on track and facilitating their success, is what has made a difference and brought the university national prominence.”

Sluder said there is a special interest in letting students know about summer school because they can enroll in summer classes at the same time they enroll for fall. 

Organizers will provide a variety of giveaways, including fans, flying discs, T-shirts and cups — all containing summer school messaging.

“Students who attend summer school have higher rates of degree completion and finish their degrees quicker than students who do not attend summer,” Sluder said.