The Collegian

Media Credit: ALLAUDIN HIGHTOWER ALL FULL: The students of professor David Gifford's MATH80 class makes up a portion of the 19,284 students attending Delta this spring.

"Due to the State budget situation, over 750 classes have been cut over the last year. As a result, our classes for the spring semester are now full and wait lists are full."

This bulletin stands at the main entrance of admissions in the DeRicco building announcing to any students that they absolutely will not be attending classes at Delta this semester. According to teachers and students, classes this semester filled up as early as the second day of registration.

Student Grace Doyle tried to get into a required math class on the third day of registration, "They were all full already, I was so surprised, I couldn't even get on the wait list," she said.

In past semesters, students have been able to add-in to a class on the first day of school, but classes have been so full this semester, even getting on the waiting list is no guarantee.

English professor Paula Sheil, who is teaching five English classes this semester, says every one of her classes is completely full. One of her classes had every seat filled from the first day of school, so there was no adding even from the wait list.

`Registering for Delta has become a competition for seats. Enrollment trends show registration rates going down as many students have been turned away due to lack of space. In fall 2008 there were 21,108 registered students whereas fall 2009 showed 20,666. This semester, spring 2010 holds 19,284 registered students.

The numbers are rapidly decreasing and many predict this trend will continue as more classes are cut and more students are not given the chance.

When asked to predict what the future may hold for Delta and its students, Professor Sheil said, "I think it's going to toughen students up, they cannot afford to be lax about their educations." Doyle agrees. "If one good thing can come of this misfortune, attend their classes regularly, and consequently graduate sooner."

`For the following semester, admissions directors urge students to apply as early as Monday, March 1, for summer intercession and Monday, April 5, for the fall semester.

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