Taking the Frenzy out of Cross Cultural Registration

Form Frenzy is what students registering for cross cultural trips in the past have experienced, but starting this year a new registration process will begin. Form Frenzy was put on by the Cross Cultural Office at Spring Arbor University (SAU) as an event for students to register for the following year’s trips.
In the past, Form Frenzy was held in the Ralph Carey Forum (RCF), and the earlier the student arrived, the more likely he or she was to get the trip they wanted. Students would wait outside the building creating lines with more than 300 applicants.
“Everybody hated Form Frenzy,” said Diane Kurtz, Director of Cross Cultural Studies.  “It was a nightmare for students and for us.”
As a result, there will not be a Form Frenzy this year. Instead, students will be able to pick up an application form at Market Day, held in the RCF on Thursday, March 1. Market Day will be a chance for students to “shop around” for various cross cultural trips, as representatives for all of the 2013 trips, including three-week and semester long trips, will be present.
Although freshmen are welcome to attend and explore, the event is aimed at current sophomores, juniors and seniors to begin registering for their trips. Once students have received a form for the trip of his or her choice, the application process can begin, and once the application is complete it can be brought to the Cross Cultural Office beginning March 5 between 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
“We’re hoping that spreading the process out will make it easier on students and staff,” said Kurtz.
For students who are worried about the edge they might have lost by not being able to stake out their spot to get on the trip of their choice, there are several steps students can take before Market Day.
A magazine will be coming to the mailboxes of all sophomores, juniors, and seniors detailing all of the 2013 trips and registration instructions. Students are encouraged to have their immunization records and passport applications ready. Passport pictures can be taken any time at the Cross Cultural Office, and students should make sure they have a passport picture taken at Market Day before leaving.
After Market Day, students have as much time as needed to put together and turn in their forms after March 5. In order to ensure a spot on their desired trip, however, Kurtz recommends students turn in their forms as early as possible.
Registration for trips is handled in the registrar’s office, with enrollment determined first by grade status and then by form turn-in date. Unlike other classes, enrollment for cross cultural trips is not available online on the portal. It is taken care of by the registrar’s office.
Students can either be in the trip of their choice or on a waiting list, but not both simultaneously. Passports need to be submitted by the last day of spring semester, or students will be dropped.
“The most important thing you can do is watch for the magazine in your mailbox, and do what you can to prepare before coming to Market Day,” said Kuntz.
If students have any other questions, they are encouraged to stop by the Cross Cultural Office or visit the Cross Cultural website at http://www.arbor.edu/Welcome/Cross-Cultural-Studies/Index.aspx