There aren't many things that prompt State Pressers to roll out of bed before 10 a.m.
Occasionally, if we have an exam during our 7:40 a.m. class or there is a protest about building construction, we'll make an exception. Otherwise, it's a pretty rare occurrence.
Oh, and then there's when we need to add a class so badly, we're actually willing to get up at 6:50 a.m. and wait for the clock to strike seven. It's that day we can snag a class some unlucky student had stripped away from their schedule when they forgot to pay for classes on time.
Yes, it's that glorious morning where we seek to capitalize on the misfortunes of others. And, oh, how we love it. How else can we graduate on the meager 12 credit hour semesters we take to stay sane during deadlines?
But, it looks like this semester will be the last of those early-morning raids on the scheduling system. ASU officials decided students will no longer face automatic purging if they default on their tuition payment deadline.
Instead, these students, who could not remember tuition was due, will get to keep their MKT 382s and their JMC 301s for a mere $75 fee. Basically, they get automatically enrolled in a tuition installment program.
So this leaves us with a dilemma. We sympathize with the many students who have been purged from the system only to re-register with a schedule full of early-morning and late-night classes. But, at the same time, such a system ensures we, State Pressers, are not those students.
Officials say the reason for the switch is simply because only about 3 percent of the students dropped don't attempt to re-register. In which case, we agree the system caused many headaches. But we can't help wonder whose fault that is.
The administration (we can't believe we're saying this) isn't to blame. They let students know when the due date is. And if students miss it, well, that's their fault.
We're all too well acquainted with forgetfulness here at The State Press. Heck, our parents seem to be perpetually on our back about that library book we checked out in May and have not yet returned.
But tuition is a little different. It's the way the University teaches us. So, if the penalty is a little harsh, maybe those students won't make the same mistake twice.
And don't even try that "I didn't have the money and therefore this editorial is horribly wrong" excuse. It won't fly. See, students in all their financial woes, have this installment option from day one. So, take that, Skeletor.
