“Are there any students like me?” This was one of the posts seen on Hanyang University (HYU)’s on-line community board after the application was done. The contents said, “I am a senior and I was unable to register for classes. I know that every student can take up to 20 credits, but I was able to only register for two credits. I guess I can get into the other classes by asking the professor, right?”
  During the registration period for every upcoming semester, many of HYU’s on-line community boards are full of students posting how their registration went. There are students who succeeded in getting into classes they had hoped for. On the other hand, there are students who were unable to get into classes they had hoped to take.
Those who failed, end up having trouble taking enough credits. They have to take classes they do not want to take, or which might not help them to graduate because they might not have taken classes essential for graduating until the very moment.
  Application difficulties have been an issue and common problem for every Hanyangian at least once. Does the school know about this situation? Do they have any plan to solve this problem?

First Multi Major VS. Second And Third Major
  This difficulty registering for classes is a very sensitive problem because both the major students and students who take other majors as their second major or multi major are involved. The situation which occurred with the School of Business’s on-line community might have been aroused because of those who take major courses of School of Business as their vice or multi major.
  Choi Soo-ho, a senior student from Department of Chinese Language and Literature who is taking Chinese Economy and Trade Program as multi major, said, “I had struggled a lot with the application problem this time. I failed signing up for the Principles of Economics class which is essential for getting degrees of Chinese Economy and Trade Program. So I had to go to the office myself and ask them to make another room for me to sign up this class because otherwise I would not be able to even graduate.”
  However, if the original major students are not able to apply for those major courses it is also a problem. For example, the on-line community for students in the School of Business, HUBIZ, was full of people trying to get information about application problems.
  On this on-line board, a student with the ID Cloudpig posted an article arguing about the application problem. Cloudpig insisted, “The school should secure the students who are taking the major course as their first major. Also, the school said they would expand the classes for those who failed. However, it was only two or three spaces which are not enough. It is not fair for us to have to be listening to classes we had not even wished for when we pay expensive tuition fee. I believe it is school violating the rights of students.”

School’s Reply to Hanyangians
  The president of Office of Academic Affairs, Lee Hyeong-kyu, said, “First of all, we always try to focus on the students’ needs and consult classes based enough for all students to apply for. However, the problems arise when students prefer certain professor’s lecture and try to enroll in that class. On that problem we cannot help. We already have enough professors and have even and certain number of students who can take courses. However, it is the student who chose to only take a certain professor’s class. Also, we have set different application time for different grades in order to give convenience to students. For example, from Feb 16 to Feb 18, classes were able to be applied by only assigned grades students. In other words, we have given priority to those who have classes they must receive degrees. It is the students’ responsibility to miss the enrollment period, not the school’s responsibility.” The president of Office of Academic Affairs, Lee Hyeong-kyu, said, “First of all, we always try to focus on the students’ needs and consult classes based enough for all students to apply for. However, the problems arise when students prefer certain professor’s lecture and try to enroll in that class. On that problem we cannot help. We already have enough professors and have even and certain number of students who can take courses. However, it is the student who chose to only take a certain professor’s class. Also, we have set different application time for different grades in order to give convenience to students. For example, from Feb 16 to Feb 18, classes were able to be applied by only assigned grades students. In other words, we have given priority to those who have classes they must receive degrees. It is the students’ responsibility to miss the enrollment period, not the school’s responsibility.”

Detailed Solutions from School
  Many Hanyangians want the school to give clear solutions to this difficult problem. In fact, the Office of Academic Affairs does have solutions. The first solution is to implement a preliminary application system for the regular application term. This system was only executed to collect data for the summer and winter schools. According to this system, students will sign up for classes they want as a practice. Then, based on the quantity of students, the school will make more accurate timetable and set the popular professors first according to the data.
  Another solution is to implement a stand-by system. If there are students who failed to sign up for classes they have wanted, they can put their names on a stand-by list. Then, if there are students who choose to drop the class, the student on the stand-by list will be able to apply for the class without having trouble sitting all day in front of the computer waiting for decisive moment to occur. “Again, we try our best to give as much convenience as possible to the students. However, if the students cannot take the advantage that we are giving, we cannot help either. I hope the students know our difficulties,” said Lee.

School of Hanyangians Made by Hanyangians
  It is true that students feel unfair about the application system. They think they are not receiving the benefits they have paid for. Even though the school has many solutions and policies, it is not enough for the students’ needs. However, the students cannot always blame the school for all the trouble. Students should try to take the advantage the school is giving before they blame someone else.
  Since the Office of Academic Affairs stated that they are planning to launch new system, the school is expecting to see the Hanyangians participating and being cooperative.