Overcrowding creates trouble for FGCU students

SOUTH FORT MYERS, Fla. — Overcrowding has prevented students at Florida Gulf Coast University from getting into required courses, sparking an outcry from students and former administrators.

It’s forced the nearly 15,000 students enrolled at the university to compete for spots as they register for classes, junior Vedya Kaya explained. The squeeze has left some unable to graduate on time.

“I’ve had to register for classes and they were full, and I would have to be put on a waitlist,” Kaya said. “I’d have to go to counselors and I’d have to ask, ‘Can you please squeeze me into this class? I need this class.'”

University officials haven’t done enough to schedule the right courses with the necessary capacity, former president Roy McTarnaghan contended at Tuesday’s Board of Trustees meeting.

The university is aware of the issue, an FGCU spokesperson said, and has enacted changes to alleviate the problem, such as more available times per class, a new advising system and earlier start times.

The Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet on Apr. 11 to discuss the issue further.