Nicole West was one of four students in her freshman class to enter Northwestern as a dance major.
Although NU's dance program has gradually expanded over West's four years at school, it continues to struggle with a lack of resources and disputes over its academic policies.
Most recently, a change in the pre-registration process this quarter has prevented some students from taking as many dance classes as usual, causing them to pay for additional instruction at local studios. Though many faculty and students agreed that the department has the students' best interests in mind, West said the changes left many students questioning the new policies.
"We kind of generally feel like our voice isn't heard," said Genevieve Garcia, a senior dance major. "The supply isn't really related to the demand of what students want."
Garcia, who usually takes four or five technique classes a quarter, was only able to register for two such classes this term.
Under the new registration process, dance majors can only pre-register for up to three technique classes, and dance minors for two, said dance program coordinator Susan Lee. Musical theatre students, who have a dance requirement, are next on the priority list and can pre-register for one. Classes then open to all students.
Before Winter Quarter, students registered for dance classes by placing their names on wait lists to get permission numbers from theatre department assistants. The process was labor-intensive and confusing, said Rives Collins, chairman of the theatre department.
The goal was to make the process more transparent and fair to all students, Collins said, adding that the system helps students who never could get into dance classes. Majors and minors also benefit from having certain classes guaranteed, though they may not be able to take as many classes as they want.
But the registration change doesn't mean that any more classes are offered, so many students still don't get the classes they want, West said.
Spring Break
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