Students struggle to select courses for the 2026-27 academic year
- Isabella Pacheco Rosales
- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
As students log in to STU's self-service to register for the coming year, many find themselves adding courses to their schedules that don’t interest them.
Course registration for the 2026-27 academic year opened to students on March 17, giving them the chance to review and choose courses for the upcoming year.
Ambar Vasquez, a second-year student double-majoring in digital media and creative arts and communications and public policy, said the problem is a lack of courses.
Vasquez, a full-time student who works part-time, is concerned about how her schedule will look for the upcoming academic year.
“This year, while looking at course registration, I noticed they cut three of the communications classes I wanted to take. I have been planning my courses since I started at STU.”
She said the cuts leave her with only three courses for her second semester and she cannot take more because either they are no longer offered or are scheduled too late, which would prevent her from working her part-time job in the evenings.
“I’m struggling to fill up my schedule and also complete my major requirements, because not enough credits or hours are offered. I don’t think there are enough professors to teach during the day,” said Vasquez.
Jamie Gillies, chair of the journalism and communications and public policy department at STU, said he is well aware of the challenges students encounter.
“We’ve been unable to do any hiring because the university continues to have a hiring freeze,” said Gillies.
Despite this, Gillies said there have been no cuts to the actual number of communications classes.
Gillies plans to expand the digital media program, adding that the program is still considered an “interdisciplinary major” and not a “full major.”
“I really believe in it and I think the students are getting some great classes from the part-time faculty,” he said.
“It’s just the reality of wanting those courses taught by professionals. If we had people who could teach it during the day, we would.”
Gillies said the limitations on what courses STU can offer are “frustrating,” but he is not willing to offer a course “with somebody who’s not qualified.”
He said he’s happy to help any student with concerns about completing their interdisciplinary major requirements and invites them to contact him directly.
“I apologize to those students who do have to work and it makes it really difficult to try to complete that degree.”
Landen Cornier, a second-year student pursuing a fine arts degree concentrated in music, has also had trouble fulfilling his major requirements because of a lack of professors in the program.
“I think it is trying to be more than it has the capacity to be sometimes. Realistically, we have about three instructors,” he said, adding the program is “understaffed.”
Cornier said there is almost no way to obtain a fine arts degree focused solely on music.
“I would prefer to have enough courses to take my entire major or honours,” he said.
While reviewing next year’s class proposals, Cornier noticed two courses were added to the fine arts program. However, the structure remains the same as every other year.
“It’s always those two tonal classes, intro to music theory and music practice. So if you are looking for something else, there’s really not a whole lot of opportunities and variety.”