Registration & the Petition Process

Registration

Students may register for Literature Humanities, Contemporary Civilization, Music Humanities, Art Humanities, Frontiers of Science and African Civilizations sections on-line or by phone. Please note that incoming first-year students are pre-registered for Literature Humanities and Frontiers of Science.

Students who experience difficulty finding a section of one of the aforementioned Core classes that fits their schedule on their own may seek help from the Center for the Core Curriculum, 202 Hamilton, during the first week of class, by filing a petition (forms are available at the Center reception desk). Petition forms can be used by those either seeking to register for a section or wishing to change sections.

Students are advised to consult with their academic advisors before making any decisions regarding their registration and Core requirements in general.

The Petition Process

The Petition Period lasts from the first Tuesday of classes through the following Monday.

Petitions are processed daily during the petition period. When a student's petition has been acted upon, the results will appear on-line. Students should check 24 hours after submitting a petition. Students can always come to the Core Office to inquire about the status of their petition in person.

Please Remember:

• It is very important to read the instructions on the petition form carefully and completely. Students will not be permitted to file incomplete petitions.
• In order to ensure that they are placed in a section, students must provide at least three possible times when they can take the course for which they are petitioning.
• All petitions are final; students unsure of their schedule or uncertain about their desire to change it should not file a petition. Students should feel free to ask questions of the staff of the Center to make sure they have all the information they need to file a petition.
• Being patient with the on-line system and flexible about options will generally mean that the section change can be completed on-line by students themselves, granting them more control over their schedules; petitions are the last resort.
• Athletes with scheduling conflicts should first consult Jacqueline Blackett, Associate Director of Intercollegiate Athletics (jpb3@columbia.edu; 854-2544) for advice before visiting the Center.

Frequently Asked Questions & Their Answers

Can I sit in on a Core class to see if I like it OR to ensure that I will get the next available seat in that class?

"Shopping" for Core classes is not permitted. Students may only attend a Core class if and when they are registered for that section. Students may not petition for a specific section or instructor. Furthermore, all Core instructors are specifically directed to not allow students who are not on their rosters to attend their class.

What happens if my Core class conflicts with my work schedule?

Because it is generally easier to change a work schedule than to register for one specific time slot, students should first speak to their employers about rearranging their work schedules. Please keep in mind that hundreds of other students also find themselves obliged to balance their class and work responsibilities and often must settle for a less than ideal schedule. That said, students are welcome to try: at the bottom of the petition, students should check “Other” as the reason for the conflict and elaborate in the space provided on the form. The Center cannot guarantee that the schedule change will be made to accommodate a work schedule.

Can I petition for a specific instructor?

Absolutely not. Because over 5,000 students register for Core classes each semester, it is not possible to accommodate requests for specific instructors. Students are assigned to classes according to schedule only.

How do I register next semester ?

With the exception of Barnard students, students enrolled in Literature Humanities and Contemporary Civilization classes in the fall will be automatically re-registered in the same section for the spring semester. Students may, however, change sections during the registration and change of program period. For those unable to do so, petitions will be available on the first day of classes.