Seniors make U. deadline

The University-wide deadline to register for graduation has come and gone and most of those expected to register have done so, according to University officials. Administrators in the University's four undergraduate schools announced last fall that students who missed the November 13 deadline could pay a $25 fee and register until February 12. Those students who did not register before last Friday's deadline probably will not have their names printed in the commencement booklet in May. "Last year we had a number of complaints about students who applied late and did not appear in the commencement booklet," said Elaine Ranlof, graduation auditor for the College. Ranlof said that the response from College seniors to the establishment of the second deadline has been good. "We started out with 1,538 students in September [who we expected to apply for graduation] and now we are fairly close to the same number," she said. Ranlof added that her office sent out 133 late notices last week to remind those who had failed to register of the deadline. Upon receiving the noices, she said, the students responded quickly. "I must have had at least a dozen students today, and many more early in the week," Ranlof said Friday. But Wharton and Nursing officials said yesterday that they had no problem getting seniors to register by the set deadline. Byron Dresner, director of advising and records for the Wharton undergraduate division, said that most Wharton seniors actually registered by the November deadline. "As far as we know, all the students that we anticipated to register already did," Dresner said. He added that he thinks the $25 late fee acted as a deterrent for many seniors who would have waited to register. "It's amazing what knowing that you have to pay $25 will do," he said. Dresner added that Wharton also notified parents of the deadlines in a newsletter that the school printed, and that many students came in to register as a result of parental prodding. Rita Washington, assistant director of student information for the Nursing School, said the Nursing School's small size made it easier to have all Nursing seniors register before the deadine. "The advisors sign the graduation application, and then they check back to be sure that it's been taken care of," said Washington. Ranlof and Dresner both said the new policy also helped to identify students who had problems with their credits. They said that, in the past, students who registered late often discovered that there were discrepancies between their actual transcripts and what they thought their transcripts actually contained. "Anyone who waits until the last minute to register isn't happy to be told that they're short a credit," Ranlof said. All three administrators said the deadline policy will most likely apply to next year's seniors as well.