Educational plans are not a new thing; the counseling center has been using them for years to help students plan out their courses. What is new is the effect they will have on students trying to register classes.

Starting the fall of 2014, educational plans will count towards priority registration. Students without a plan will find themselves waiting longer to register.

According to Newin Orante, vice president of student services, the goal is to better prepare students and set them up for success.

“The literature and research show that when a student has an educational plan it provides a better outcome for students in terms of academic success,” Orante stated.

Educational plans are not the only thing that will affect priority registration; assessments and orientations will also be taken into consideration. While these are not required to register for classes, not having them on record will result in a lower priority.

These changes are being made as part of the Student Success Act of 2012, which aims to help students successfully complete their academic goals. A summary of the Student Success Act from the Chancellor’s Office specifies orientations, assessments and educational plans as key elements in this endeavor.

“Some argue that when we have educated citizens it also creates an educated workforce that begins to influence our economy,” explained Orante. “That was the whole reason for the Student Success Act.”

According to Orante, the district is currently in talks to figure out how it will implement the program next fall. There is also work being done to start a campaign in order to inform current students.

“We don’t want them to be disadvantaged,” Orante said.

Current students seem to agree with the idea to encourage students to get educational plans.

“It’s not bad. I think it’s a good thing to help people know what they need planned instead of wasting time and wasting college years”, commented Komal Dhot, a psychology student.

“It makes sense just because you need to get certain classes in order to transfer or graduate,” communications studies major Lauren Riebs said. “People who do have it planned out would make it easier to get the classes that they need.”

Some students, Zi Lin, do have some concerns however.

“Some people maybe have to take more classes in order to transfer, so if we have to tell the counselor what classes we are going to take it’s kind of inconvenient,” 20-year-old student Lin said.

Despite the effect the Student Success Act and educational plans will have, they are only a few of many elements that go into determining priority registration.

“It’s not cut and dry. I tell individuals understand your situation, especially if you’re new coming in,” Orante said. “The law is changing for all community colleges and whichever you choose it’s important for you to know how these laws are impacting you.”