As the enrollment of the 2nd Semester for Academic Year 2023-2024 officially started last January 5, the Open Enrollment process was implemented and still ongoing in Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU), obtaining various responses and encountering different challenges.
The Open Enrollment process includes the pre-registration and the addition of courses, particularly General Education courses in the students’ load, where students have the freedom to choose their preferred schedules from the schedules posted via the eSMS portal.
According to the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Dean Dr. Glenda B. Tupaz, the implementation of the Open Enrollment was a sudden instruction from the Vice President of Academic Affairs (VPAA) and the University President.
“This is an abrupt order from the VPAA and our President that we have the open enrollment for us to be able to save, so we just followed what was asked and what were ordered from the higher ups,” Dr. Tupaz stated in an exclusive interview.
Dr. Tupaz also highlighted that it will be beneficial to the institution as they are maximizing the number of students per section, from having small classes to combining it to one section. However, there will be faculty and teaching staff who would not have teaching loads this semester, especially part time instructors.
As this change in the enrollment process is still ongoing, the CAS Dean expressed her gratitude to the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Team for a good start and a successful implementation in the institution despite the minor glitches.
“We are still monitoring certain problems or minor challenges that we may encounter, we have been really very ready in the CAS as to the GenEd Courses because being ready does not mean that it’s going to be sa college level lang, since this is done online, the system has to be ready as well,” the CAS Dean added.
Meanwhile, third-year Bachelor of Arts in English Language (BAEL) student Cyrille Ann Creer shared the challenges she encountered during the 2nd semester enrollment process.
“The confusion on how should it be done. Like, how to do the pre-registration properly, what courses should be included in it, and what would happen after. Second is anxiety. Like, I overthink if did I do great in the enrollment process? Will I be enrolled successfully after that? and such,” she expressed.
Creer said that the enrollment process last semester was easier as they only need to submit minimal requirements and the rest of the work is left on the enrollment adviser.
“A bit complicated because ayon nga, the enrollment process last semester was easy. You just need to pass your FHE form and the rest would be the responsibility of the enrolling adviser. But for this semester, you need to complete the process on your own,” she added.
Furthermore, Culture, Arts, and Physical Education Department (CAPED) enrolling faculty Sir Porf Gacgacao, Jr. said that with the absence of prior and formal orientation in the new enrollment process, big adjustments will be made at the end of the students.
“The difficult thing is that there is a new subject code—GE and PE. There will be adjustments as students choose their preferred schedule. And what’s easier for me is that everyone helps and is cooperative, especially on the part of the students,” he added.
Enrollment will last until January 20, with the opening of classes set to happen on January 22.
Article by Liziel Ann Altejar