Gavilan College launched a new phone-in registration system this
semester, following many other colleges
’ lead, but the improvements are starting small to give the
college time to address any problems. Fall semester classes started
today.
Gavilan College launched a new phone-in registration system this semester, following many other colleges’ lead, but the improvements are starting small to give the college time to address any problems.
Fall semester classes started today.
The system, called GavNOW, offers students another option besides mail-in and walk-up registration. The number for GavNOW is: 846-3729.
“We wanted to provide students with a convenience,” said Joy Parker, director of admissions and records.
The system is currently offered on a limited basis. Only returning students may use it because it does not check scores on the assessment tests for placement in math and English courses, so new students could be enrolled in the wrong course. Also, only those paying by credit card may call in and sign up for classes.
The system already checks students’ prerequisite courses and will not allow them to register for a class for which they have not taken the required prerequisites.
New students will be able to use GavNOW in early September after an update fixing the problem of checking assessment tests is completed. They will still have to mail or bring in an application.
The only other problem being addressed is the way credit card numbers are processed. When students enter their credit card number, the system does not tell them if that number or the expiration date were entered incorrectly. The phone simply hangs up on the user if either number is wrong.
Right now, anyone wanting to sign up for a class can call in to check if there is still room, Parker said.
In the future, perhaps after the next system upgrade in a few months, GavNOW will allow students to register and not have to pay by credit card. They would still have to go to the campus admissions and records office if paying in cash.
The college is also planning to move on to Web registration within a few months, Parker said.
