Streamlined SAPR would benefit students

Every semester I ask myself the same question: Will I get the classes I need to satisfy my SAPR requirements or will I get zapped? My advisor is always so positive but every semester the ritual of signing up for classes I do not need, or am unable to use, is sadly and predictably repeated.

If you are as confused by the SAPR as I am, then it might be worth the effort to explore an uncomplicated approach to correcting the SAPR’s disorganized design.

Here is a simple but effective organizational plan to address some of the SAPR’s shortcomings.

1. Copy your SAPR into a word document.

2. Start by arranging the sections in a hierarchal outline.

a. Be consistent, do not stray too far from the original layout, just clean it up a bit.

3.Establish a standardized template for rearranging the contents of each section.

a. Requirements.

b. Classes completed or in progress.

c. Alternative classes.

i. I list each class separately and note whether they are off campus, taught during a summer/winter session or are no longer available.

d. Units summary.

i. I put the units summary, Earned Units, In Progress Units and Needed Units , at the end of every section to help me keep sight of the big picture and break down how many units of UD or LD classes I have left to take.

1.Not all sections have the units listed so you may have to search for that info.

4. Carefully go through your SAPR with your advisor to fill in

any missing information or e-mail your revised SAPR to

your advisor for advice or comments.

I said it was simple, didn’t I? By rearranging your SAPR in this fashion,

you will become intimately more familiar with its contents, learn a great deal about the requirements for each section, and create a user-friendly document, which is both accurate and understandable. Keep this new SAPR version handy and when it comes time to register maybe you can avoid being zapped by the SAPR.

Robert Harrold

family studies and human development senior

Classroom Web surfing rude, distracting

We all know being in those large general education courses are annoying.

These classes are mainly annoying due to the large numbers of students enrolled in them. Also when you are actually trying to pay attention to the lecture, the students next to you are just trying to socialize.

I would have to say the most annoying thing students do in these big classes is surf the Web during lectures.

I have two of these large lecture classes. In my TRAD class I always seem to sit behind or beside someone who is constantly surfing the Web. What is really aggravating is when these students are on YouTube watching videos.

It is not like I am trying to see what these people are looking at, but it is hard to ignore the videos flashing on the screen in front of you. It is distracting and rude, and should not be happening in the classroom.

I honestly don’t care what other students do in their own personal time. I believe, though, that students should respect each other, especially

in the classrooms. So next time you find yourself surfing the Web during class, think twice. We all know you are paying a lot of money to be there, so respect your time and the others around you.

Sarah Allen

linguistics freshman

Economic crisis may force some to drop out

As we all know, the economy is in a crisis. This affects everyone – especially students in a university. For example, here at the UA, President

Shelton has proposed about a $500 increase in tuition for the next academic year 2009-2010. The increase for tuition is a lot, and some students may not be able to return to school – if these students don’t have enough money they may not be able to come back to school for a while.

ASA’s counter-tuition proposal is an excellent plan to consider. This plan says that the tuition will go up at a steady rate every academic year. This is outstanding for students since students would be able to budget their money. Also, students would know what they would have to pay for their schooling up to four years or more into the future.

The unpredictable increase year-to-year would force some students

to leave an opportunity for an exceptional career and higher education. This proposal would allow students to see how much they would spend for school. This would help a lot of students to have good education.

As the economy gets worse, students will need to keep an eye on their financial status. This is the future and if we really care about the future we would listen to ASA’s counter-tuition proposal. We, the students are the future – if there are fewer students going to the universities, there will be fewer teachers, lawyers, doctors etc.

Stephanie V. Lopez

pre-mathematics freshman