For Immediate Release
July 29, 2009

Important Information for Students Registering for Fall Semester

The San Mateo County Community College District offers sound advice for students.

The state budget has had an adverse impact on all California Community Colleges. All three colleges in the San Mateo County Community College District have had their budgets cut. In making the needed budget reductions, all efforts have been made to reduce the impact on classes and services for students. But these efforts have still not enabled us to close the budget gap. As a result, students will be affected by these budget cuts. You will find many more classes closed early in the registration process. We will also be unable to open as many new sections of classes as we have in the past. Below you will find some steps you can take to reduce the impact on your educational studies.

• Register Early - You are encouraged to register as soon as possible for your classes. Class space is limited and classes are filling quickly. Be sure to check WebSMART for a list of open classes and plan for alternate classes should your first choices for classes be closed.

• Drop Any Classes You Do Not Want or Need - This will open seats for other students.

• Use Waitlists - You may add yourself to the waitlist for any classes that have filled. You will be notified by email at your mysmccd.edu account if space becomes available for you to enroll. You will then have only 48 hours in which to enroll in the class. Check your mysmccd.edu account on a regular, daily basis. If space in the class does not become available via the waitlist process, you may attend the first class meeting. If the instructor has additional space, s/he will provide you with an authorization code to add the class.

• Submit Authorization Codes Immediately - If you receive an authorization code from an instructor to add a class, be sure to register via WebSMART immediately. You will need both the authorization code and the CRN# for the class in order to enroll. Some instructors may honor your authorization code for a short period of time only. If you have not officially registered for the class, you may be denied entry.

• Contact Your Instructors - If you are unable to attend the first class meeting, notify your instructors ahead of time via email. Instructors may drop students who do not attend the first class session in order to accommodate other students who wish to enroll.

• Seek Financial Assistance - Governor Schwarzenegger has signed a bill to increase California Community College student fees from $20 to $26 per unit. This increase will take effect for the fall, 2009 semester, regardless of when you may have registered for your fall classes. You will receive further communication regarding this fee increase. If you have previously applied for financial aid and are qualified for a Board of Governors Fee Waiver the fee increase will be covered and no further action on your part will be required. If you have not yet applied for financial aid, you are strongly encouraged to contact the Financial Aid office about financial aid opportunities that may assist you in paying for your educational expenses.

We are pleased that you have chosen the colleges in the San Mateo County Community College District in which to pursue your educational goals. We are committed to serving you as best as possible during these challenging economic times.

For more information, contact Robert Hood, Director of Marketing and Public Relations, at hoodr@smccd.edu or 306-3340