A colleague in my office said this in a meeting today, “We do not like online courses. But they can be a significant tool to serve students and help them graduate on time.” I would go even further, and say that the Canadian post-secondary system does not like online courses. We send all sorts of… Read More We Have to Get Over Our Dislike!
The principle, “Nothing about us without us” is an important consideration for Registrars and Student Services in higher education. But like any nice slogan, it can be reduced to lip service without actual, practical implementation. The ideals expressed in the Universities Canada statement on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion are followed with a section on what… Read More Nothing About Us Without Us.
In the COVID-19 crisis, how can a university or college keep operating? At Trinity Western University, classes have moved online, and yes, Alex Usher, they really have moved online. They’re not perfect, but they’re working. And how can a Registrar’s Office keep working? Here are my ideas, and make sure you read to the end… Read More 3 Ways to Work Remotely
Y2K, SARS, COVID-19 are all scary events that I have had the privilege of being a Registrar through. I’m on a response team for my university, and here is what I’ve both heard and offered to my team about dealing with things like this: Lead. As Mr. Rogers’ mother famously told him, “Look for the… Read More Registraring in a Crisis
As many of you will have heard, Melanie Mark, the Minister of Advanced Education in BC, has asked colleges and universities in British Columbia to provide to her our policies on how we handle large cash payments and refunds. Many news outlets have carried this story. We are being asked to do this because a… Read More Money Laundering Investigation
Pardon the proud father moment. I had the distinct privilege of having a student/guinea pig for the past five years at the university where I work. My son went through the admission process, the student process, and the graduation process, and provided me with delicious feedback all along the way. Over the past five years,… Read More Registrar with Guinea Pig
Remember that trust goes both ways. If you’re aiming to inspire your staff to build trust, are you leading the way? Are you addressing expectations – yours and theirs? Do you follow through and meet promises? Do you reward/encourage/support behaviours you expect and hope for? What do you do when trust is broken? Do you… Read More Trust Goes Both Ways
A good friend of mine recently passed away. We’ve known each other for 30 years and because he was a few years older than me and very wise, I looked up to him. His memorial service (or Celebration of Life because Ray lived!) is coming this Saturday. I remember a conversation Ray had with me as… Read More Registrar Staff: Performance & Trust
You’ve read my rants and comments about transcripts many times before, if you are a regular reader of my ramblings here. Now I want to throw some props to Eric Shadle, Assistant Director of University Admissions from Loma Linda University, and to AACRAO for posting his defense of transcripts: http://www.aacrao.org/resources/resources-detail-view/field-notes–in-defense-of-transcripts I hope your summer is… Read More Transcripts Are Important
It happens to me every year. This morning, someone in the Registrar’s Office said, “9 more days until Christmas!” and I panicked. I have only one gift for my father-in-law, nothing for my wife or kids, and AND ONLY A FEW DAYS LEFT TO SHOP! How does this sneak up on me every… single… year? As… Read More “It’s beginning to look a lot like…”
Who Wants To Be A Registrar? 