SOAR simplifies student scheduling

Just in time for spring registration, the registrar’s office has released a new update to SOAR that simplifies the scheduling process for students. 

“We want to get the word out to the campus community about this exciting new functionality we’ve added to help students find a great schedule in the advisement process,” said Debby Hill, associate registrar. “Once logged into SOAR, students are able to access a schedule planner link that will allow students to enter their desired courses, customize their breaks and then generate all the possible schedules based on our current course offerings.”

The schedule planner allows for students to input the times in their schedule they will be busy or do not want classes, and then the planner will try and create a schedule based on the times inputted.  After a student finds a suitable schedule, he or she can send the schedule to the shopping cart and complete the registration process as normally done.

“While the schedule planner and shopping cart do not save seats prior to registration, we will have the ability to monitor course selections and run analysis on course demand,” said Hill.

Melanie Hall, an accounting major at USM, has already tried out the new system.  “Well, one aspect that I know some people will enjoy is you can actually click the campus you want to sign up for,” Hall said.  “I’ve had several friends who live on campus who accidentally signed up on the Coast.  It also seems like a time saver, but it’s something that will take some getting used to.”

The new schedule planner can be found by logging into SOAR and clicking “Schedule Planner” link under the Student Center area.  SOAR also provides help videos that are accessible from the planner.

Student registration on Nov. 5 through Nov. 8 for those with enrollment appointments, and open registration is on Nov. 12  through  Jan. 18.