CoMpLaiNs...

To: Straits Times Editor,

I have always wondered whether the bidding system adopted by NUS for students to register for their module have solved or created more problems. First of all, we have situations where engineering and life sciences studets are pre-allocated their modules, meaning that they do not have to bid for their essential (core) modules for the semester and those thereafter. In this way, their bid points (allocated 1000 points per semester) would be way higher than many other students and hence they would possess a significant advantage over others when it comes to bidding for popular modules.

Not all essentials modules are worth 1 bid point. This means that those students who are pre-allocated their essential modules save a huge load of points. For instance, in the Academic Year 2004/2005, Chemistry Year 2 students spend 890 points bidding for their essential module - Spectroscopy. If its compulsory for chemistry majors to complete that module, why doesn't the chemistry department pre-allocate us the module, like what the life science department is currently practising. 890 bid points is a lot and it can be used to bid for 4-5 modules. Various means of help have been sought but no response and action have yet been initiated.

Secondly, with regards to tutorial registration. The students, particulary chemistry students, would appreciate very much if they were informed at least a few days in advance of the tutorial registration timings and date. To cite an example of this inefficiency, the Chemistry Year 2 students were only informed that tutorial registration would commence on the very day the announcement was made. As the registration was first-come, first-serve, students who have other committments would be disadvantaged. There may be valid reasons for this delay in communication of the information, but students were not informed by the administrative department. Or did they think that it was not necessary to do so? If that's the case, are they responsible adults?

In addition to these, Chemistry Year 1 students only register ONCE for their 2 tutorials. What ever happen to this neat procedure? Year 2 chemistry students have to register THREE seperate times for their tutorials. Why the need to do things separately? It is an absolute waste of time and resources.

Lecturers aside, they are good I must admit, the chemistry department administration will do better to clean up their act and be more efficient in their registration procedures.

Anonymous

PS: Just a draft. Feel free to edit ya.