The registrar facilitates the academic life at a college.
By the time you meet your college registrar, she's already acquainted with you. Her duties affect each student's career from his acceptance to the college to his commencement ceremony, and even his acceptance to graduate school. In addition to affecting student life, the registrar influences the way faculty does its job. Her job consists of four main duties.
Academic Recordkeeping
The registrar oversees the inflow of applications from students seeking entry to the college. Though she may delegate the task among co-workers, she's responsible for verifying information about each prospective student with his current high school, college, or university. She evaluates this information against her college's requirements to determine whether the college will accept him.
The registrar maintains records of each student's grades to form transcripts. At the end of each academic year, she evaluates all transcripts to compile a list of students who are eligible to graduate. For students continuing their education, the registrar provides official transcripts.
Room Scheduling
Colleges are popular venues for community events, from seminars to music concerts. A registrar makes the most of the college's resources by assessing requests to use space and equipment. To determine when and where classes will meet, she considers the subject, equipment needs, and number of students registered for each course. When a campus organization or a visitor wants to hold an event at the college, the registrar consults the room schedule and offers the most suitable space.
Statistics Reporting
Agencies both within and outside of the college rely on the registrar's records when making decisions. To design changes in school policy, such as new registration schedules, college officials request the registrar's advice. She reports her statistical findings from student registration data, and together they decide on a plan. If a governmental or educational agency requests information on the standard of education at the college, the registrar is responsible for compiling the report.
Dissemination of Information on Campus
The registrar compiles information on the college's academic requirements, course offerings, and registration procedures. Faculty, prospective students, and current students can then find this information in school publications such as course catalogs and campus bulletins.
