Dear Editor:
Thank you for the opportunity to respond to the Nov. 7, 2023 opinion article entitled “My Experience with the PLNU Records Office”.
First and foremost, I want to thank the author for sharing his experiences and concerns regarding the graduation process at Point Loma Nazarene University. Student feedback is vital for continuous improvement, and I completely understand his frustration.
It is a good thing to have a proactive approach toward understanding your degree progress and remaining requirements. Being diligent to educate yourself to ensure that you are on the right path and are taking the appropriate courses to meet your degree requirements is a responsible and wise practice.
Since the author’s primary stated intent was to assist fellow students, I will not address his specific experience in this public forum. Instead, I will offer additional guidance to help all students navigate their degree requirements effectively.
The author’s suggestion to make an appointment with the Records Office to verify progress toward graduation is indeed valuable.
For all students I recommend taking full advantage of the resources available to you to ensure that you are following the correct sequence to graduate when you expect to. Here are some steps that can aid you in this process:
- Thoroughly review your catalog (https://catalog.pointloma.edu). This will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of your graduation requirements, including those specific to your major. Becoming intimately familiar with these requirements is a vital step in ensuring you are taking the right courses and will help you detect any discrepancies. Ultimately, you should strive to become your own best resource in understanding your degree path.
- Learn how to navigate your Academic Progress in Workday. The information presented here mirrors what your Academic Records Specialist (ARS) in the Records Office has access to. If you come across anything that appears incorrect or unclear, please inform us so that we can rectify any discrepancies.
- Your faculty advisor is another indispensable resource. They possess a deep understanding of your major and the associated requirements. Additionally, they can provide general guidance regarding overall university degree requirements.
- Get to know your ARS in the Records Office. These specialists are well-versed in your program of study and all university graduation requirements. Develop a relationship with your ARS and don’t hesitate to seek clarification or address any concerns. They are equipped to help you troubleshoot issues and stay on track.
In conclusion, it’s important to emphasize that each student bears personal responsibility for understanding and fulfilling their graduation requirements. However, you have a wealth of resources at your disposal to navigate this process successfully. Leveraging all available resources will help you avoid errors or unexpected surprises in your academic journey.
Sincerely,
John Gunther
Registrar
