Initial Query from Beverly Hincks, Encore Seniors' Education Centre, St. Lawrence College, Cornwall, Ontario
Although our current system is satisfactory, I think there is room for improvement. So we are discussing different ways to introduce the program and when and how to register students. If anyone has a particularly good process, we'd love to hear about it! In particular, how do you introduce your upcoming term? Do you have an information day or a kick-off event? Do you take registrations that day? How do you handle large crowds that show up all at once to register? Are they assigned a number? Is is a free-for-all?

From Bob Neil, McCALL, Montreat College, NC
We pass out a sheet at the end of each term which gives a Preview of what is to be offered the next term (changes are sometimes made before the actual beginning of the next term). About a month before the term begins, we mail an up-dated sheet showing courses to be offered, along with a registration form. About half of our registrations then come back to us through the mail before the actual registration day. Then one week before classes begin, we have a Registration and Information Gathering at which course leaders are introduced and offered an opportunity to give a brief synopsis of their upcoming course. Many members register there that day. A few others show up on the first day of class, and we have a couple of people at a registration desk to take their information and money. This seems to work well for us, but we do not have a large membership. Our total membership for our 2000-2001 year was 210. Let me know if I be of any further assistance.

From Bernard Dumoff, LLI, Albertus Magnus College, New Haven, CT
Here at LLI at Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, CT we prepare a catalog of classes to be offered about 5 weeks before classes are scheduled to start. That catalog is mailed to every member with a registration card enclosed. Class registration is by mail and where a class is oversubscribed, registration is by lottery. If you would like a sample catalog and registration card, I would be happy to send one to you.

From Judy Gibson, Adventures in Lifelong Learning (ALL), Glen Oaks Community College, Centreville, MI (Barely one year old, 300 members)
ALL sends a newsletter with course listings and a mail-in registration form to each member 4-5 weeks before the kick-off event which has been scheduled just before the first class each term. People register on first-come basis by mail as soon as the newsletter is received. Some classes (especially the trips) fill up almost immediately, and a wait-list is begun in order received. At the kick-off, new people may join and any member may register on the spot for remaining spaces in classes. This may not be the best system, but it has worked so far.

From Jory Peterson, University for Seniors, University of MN-Duluth
At University for Seniors we send out our "Happenings" about 4-5 weeks before the beginning of each of our three terms. About 2 weeks before the term begins we have a gathering at which the study group leaders are available to answer questions and talk about their study group. Mail in registration begins as soon as the "Happenings" arrive in the mail boxes. Because we have 3-4 over-subscribed study groups each term, we have instituted a lottery system. All registrations are held until the day after the Gathering, and then the lottery is held for the oversubscribed study groups. From the date of the lottery on we take registrations on a first-come, first-served basis. We accept registrations up to and all through the first week of each term. We have a program on Access that sets up the lottery system for us.

From Donna Bauer, The Waukesha County Technical College/Learning in Retirement
WCTC has an annual "Get Acquainted " event held in mid-August to inform new and prospective members about the organization. At that time we introduce plans for the upcoming term. People may join by paying their membership fee but are also encouraged to do so when they register for classes by mail. To avoid problems, congestion, etc., we conduct all registrations for our three terms of classes as well as special events by mail!!!