Have you uttered any of these words lately? This time of year is always a bit anxious for students as you wonder what courses will be offered, what times, will you get into the ones you want, and when do I register are issues you all are dealing with right now. On top of that, we are using TWO different registration systems this year--the old one for summer and a new "banner" system for the fall (and beyond).
In this post I hope to provide you with concise, helpful information to wade through the sea of information out there...and sometimes that which isn't so helpful. Here goes:
1. What's this new "banner" registration thing I've been hearing about? Just for you, the university has created a short YouTube video to show you step by step how to register. It's a short, simple look at how to register click by click. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you take the quick 9 minutes to watch it. You'll pick up on the steps very quickly.
2. When do I register for fall classes? Click here and you'll find a series of drop down menus to select, once you hit submit, you'll get a date returned to you for the day you can register. The good news is that registration begins at 7:00am each day for each group and runs CONTINUOUSLY after that. Yes, that means starting at 7am, you can register day and night from that point on. Wasn't it frustrating to register at a specific time, or only to start at one point and get timed out at the end of the day.
3. Where do I find the list of classes and when they are offered? Again, we'll start with the idea that you are trying to plan for fall classes. Click here and you'll get to a new "class schedule" page within banner. Here you won't have to log in, you click on TERM: Fall 2009 and then search by COM, MED, JRN, ENG, etc. for classes you want to put into your schedule. This assumes you know which classes you want to register for. The old "Find a class" option is no longer available...so be prepared to look. The YouTube video gives you some great short cuts for how to navigate this search engine. My recommendation, look at COM classes, for instance, by COM and the number you want to find. Just input only those items to see the new format of the courses. After that, you can search with more terms.
The "trial schedule" tool is no longer. 
Booo, I know. But until the computer programmers get us a new program built, you'll have to use the old fashioned way, use the trial schedule worksheet. You'll find a link to it on the class schedule page. Print it and use the old pencil and paper method...it's good for you to do some things by hand every once and awhile.
4. How about some good news?
Starting this fall registration and beyond, there will be NO $60 deposit fee required to hold classes. Good news indeed, that means you won't be dropped from your classes for failing to pay the fee! Indeed this is a great policy for students. 
5. Want more tips?
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If you plan to register for any course that has a lecture and lab combination, you need to register for them at the same time. In the new system, you can register course by course, or all at once. With "linked courses" you need to list them both (lecture and lab) and then click on "register for classes" at the same time. If you do not, you will get an "link error." So, avoid the error, register for linked classes TOGETHER. This applies to COM 209 and MED 120.
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Speaking of ERRORS, expect a lot of them the first time you register. BE PATIENT. You can read about what they mean and how to get them remedied.
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You will need to request PERMISSION from a faculty member in the following situations:
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The course requires permission. What to do? Email the faculty member and request it. Once you get permission from the faculty member, then you go into registration and REGISTER for it. The permission does not register you. This will apply to courses like COM 509, 599 and online courses which require permission already.
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The course is closed. Again, you contact the faculty member and request permission to enter a closed class. Of course, the faculty member can deny you permission, that part of the process hasn't changed. It just means you need to email or call the faculty member and request to be put on their "waitlist" so that when someone drops, you are next in line.
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You don't meet a pre-requisite for a course. This is a tough one. There are course pre-reqs (like you need COM 209 or COM 210) that if you have not completed it, then you cannot register for the course. If you want to talk with the faculty member about a specific course pre-req, of course you may request an exception.
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If you are not admitted to the major because you have not completed the requirements (2.5 gpa, core gpa of 25, etc.) then you WILL be blocked from registering for the course. The good news is that if you are currently completing those pre-reqs now, the system will recognize that and allow you to register. However, if you are NOT currently enrolled, you cannot register. In other words, PRE-REQUISITES WILL BE ENFORCED AND REGISTRATION WILL BE BLOCKED. Please do not request permission to register for a course that you do not meet pre-reqs for, faculty will not be granting overrides in cases where you are not eligible for admission.
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In any case where you have a question about a pre-req for a class that you do not meet, TALK to the faculty member directly via email or phone.
6. What is this I've heard about new course minimums and classes being cancelled? Sad but true, we have to meet new course minimums for a class to make beginning this fall. The good news is that historically MOST COM classes make without a problem. So, don't worry too much about this.
Where we may have a few issues is with special topics courses (COM 397, COM 597) that are different topics each semester. Students tend not to know much about these courses, "fear the 500" level course, or otherwise think they can't take such courses. Quite the contrary, we offer special topics courses BECAUSE you should take them and get different material than we offer in regular classes, and 500 level courses are not to be feared but approached with great ferver! In fact, our COM 597 offering with Dr. Heather Carmack "health communication and culture" is a great course which you should consider. We need 15 students enrolled for it to make. If we do not, we will have to cancel the course. Don't miss a great opportunity to experience this and other "special topics" courses. If you have a question, ask me or your advisor or the instructor. They are great courses, which we offer sparingly with good reason. You will begin to see at least one special topics course each semester and so take advantage of them.
Note too that this summer is not immune to the new course minimums. COM 315 with Dr. Dudash needs to have at least 16 for it to make. If you want to take a 300 level course this summer and have not completed 315, summer is a GREAT time to take this course. If you don't pre-register for the course, we may not be able to offer it. Spread the word to others in different majors because ALL departments are being heavily scrutinized regarding caps. Generally 100-200 level courses need 20, 300-400 need 15, 500-600 need 8 to make.
Let me know if you have questions and as always, my pledge to you is that you will be contacted WELL in advance of a course being cancelled and we will make accommodations to your degree plan if you are graduating that semester (or have other sequencing issues). We are here to make sure you get your programs completed in reasonable timeframes. Your degree plan is safe! even if we have to cancel a course.
That's it for now. Please talk to your COM faculty and advisors. We are all learning this new system together so patience 
is the word for the rest of the semester. We will get through it together.
Kelly
P.S. Just so you know, my name in the new schedule appears as Kelly S. Wood, that's my new name 
Many of you are weighing your options right now in this tight job market. What to do??? Do you try to get that first job and get your foot in the door? Or, do you consider staying in school and completing a masters degree for that competitive edge later?
I just finished teaching COM 300: Careers in Communication in the first block and in this course we discussed these very issues. There were a number of COM alums with jobs in pharmaceuticals, insurance, non-profit administration, and public relations who came and spoke with the students about interviewing, job hunting, networking, and resumes. Their most common piece of advice about graduate school---GO! If you do, be sure to get some professional work experience while you are taking classes. This could mean any number of options. Now is a good time to talk with your academic advisor about what those are. If you are considering graduate school, take heed of that advice of recent COM alums and grads.
I'll offer another piece of advice that EVERYONE should know about graduate school: It's perfectly fine to stay at Missouri State to get your masters degree. In fact, in many instances, it's a better choice both financially and academically. We have a number of wonderful masters level programs in Communication. I heard today that some students think you are not allowed to get your masters at MSU because you graduated from here...and that's just plain bad information. There is nothing that prevents you from getting your masters here.
I recommend talking with your advisor about graduate school. You may also wish to speak with Dr. Randy Dillon or Dr. Isabelle Bauman about our graduate programs specifically. They both work closely with our graduate program, deal with questions, help with admissions applications, and help with getting courses picked.
Consider a few other options:
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Take graduate credit while an undergraduate using the
senior permission process. There are forms outside Craig 375 about how this process works too.
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Consider doing an accelerated Masters in COM program. This allows you to take graduate credit as an undergrad and apply it a masters degree. It is designed so that when you graduate with your Bachelors, the remaining coursework for the Masters will take ONLY 1 year (full time). Talk with Dr. Dillon about this program, and there is a brochure with more information in Craig 375.
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If you qualify and are selected, you may be able to get your graduate school PAID for by becoming a graduate assistant for the department. You could help a faculty member with their research, teach COM 115 or do programming with the Center for Dispute Resolution. If accepted, you will get your tuition paid for and receive a monthly stipend for expenses. HOW COOL IS THAT? Talk with Dr. Dillor for more information.
The best thing about staying at MSU for your graduate degree is that you already know the faculty, they know you, and you will have the opportunity to work side-by-side with faculty on a research project involving communication. The essential part of graduate school is mentoring by a faculty member on a self-developed research or writing project.
I hope this post has cleared up a few things for you regarding graduate school. If you have further questions, you can email me directly or speak with Dr. Dillon or Dr. Bauman, or any faculty member in COM.
Kelly
GET THE SCOOP ON INTERNSHIPS
Wondered about internships? How do you get one? Is it paid or unpaid? Where would I work? How do I apply? What's the best way to apply for an internships? So many questions! So, here's an invitation to an Internship Open House:
WHEN? MONDAY, MARCH 9, 3:00 – 4:00PM
WHERE? CRAIG 315
WHO SHOULD ATTEND? COMMUNICATION MAJORS AND MINORS INTERESTED IN INTERNSHIPS
WHAT WILL BE DISCUSSED?
· APPLYING FOR AND INTERVIEWING FOR INTERNSHIPS
· THE “STEP 5” APPLICATION PROCEESS
· WHAT TO EXPECT FROM AN INTERNSHIP?
· INTERN ACADEMIC AND REAL LIFE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
· YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT INTERNSHIPS
OH- AND THERE WILL BE ICE CREAM TOOJ 
For more information, contact Dr. Randy Dillon, randydillon@missouristate.edu.