By Amy Schweigert
Arizona Daily Wildcat
All freshman in the UA's College of Arts and Sciences (excluding Fine Arts majors) attempting to register by telephone for spring semester classes will be blocked if they do not attend a mandatory advisement meeting.
The meetings resulted when Arts and Sciences advisors felt that incoming freshmen were being "overwhelmed with the amount of information given at summer orientation," said Celeste Pardee, director of academic services.
Arts and Sciences is targeting 2,500 freshmen with 50-minute meetings to be held Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. all over campus. Freshman can sign up at their residence halls or in front of Modern Languages Room 347.
Freshman will need to attend a make-up meeting if they miss next week's meetings, Pardee said.
The meetings are limited to 15 students in order "to answer individual questions," she said.
Pardee said the meetings take the place of seeing an advisor and serve to answer questions about general education requirements. Students also can ask questions concerning how advanced placement and community college credit fit into the College of Arts and Sciences curriculum at the UA.
"I like it that sign-ups are in the residence halls," said Loanette Corella, a communications freshman. "It makes it convenient." She added that she is hoping the meetings will be helpful.
But Jamie Vannoy, social and behavioral sciences student, felt differently.
The meetings are "a waste of time," Vannoy said.