Shopping Time

October has always been a time of decision; a time when you could find a fourth course, or choose between two conflicting ones by sampling them both. The two weeks of "shopping time" before final study cards are due have been a valuable institution, peculiar to this university. Last Tuesday the Faculty voted to have study card deadline one week after registration, reducing "shopping time" by half and virtually killing its usefulness.

Two weeks of flux, the Faculty said, forced delayed hour exams and created administrative troubles; it meant courses couldn't get started for three weeks. Undergraduates don't really need the extra time, professors felt, because they choose their doubtful courses by white-shoe-count or entertainment value. An extra week could hardly help this kind of choice.

But students use this period of course-sampling in getting to know lecturers as well as the type of material in the course. Under the present system of large classes, where the personality of the lecturer is so important, this sampling is invaluable. With a one-week sampling period and two conflicting courses, a student could do little more than attend a lecture in each.

The extra week need not make instructors hold back their important lectures. Although many people drop a course after a few lectures, few pick it up late, and those that do can make up what they have missed.

The Student Council was right Monday when it unanimously disapproved the change, which deprives the undergraduate of an opportunity to choose some of his courses carefully. The sacrifice of freedom of choice for administrative efficiency is unfortunate.