Navigating Scantrons at UCF: A Comprehensive Guide
At the University of Central Florida (UCF), Scantrons are an essential tool for students taking exams. Unlike some other major Florida universities, UCF does not provide Scantrons to students on test days. Instead, students are responsible for acquiring them independently. This article explores the various ways UCF students can obtain Scantrons, examining the pros and cons of each method and considering potential improvements to the current system.
The "Free Scantron Initiative" by SGA
The Student Government Association (SGA) offers a "Free Scantron Initiative" that has been providing Scantrons to students at no cost since its inception. This program has distributed Scantrons to tens of thousands of students annually. Originally, the initiative aimed to encourage students to visit the SGA office and interact with their representatives. However, it quickly became a valued service that students rely on. In 2011, the SGA expanded the service to include free blue books (now green books) to support students in various disciplines.
Students can obtain one free Scantron per day from the SGA office, located on the third floor of the Student Union. According to Alex Perna, the Director of Communications for the Student Government Association, SGA’s goal is to make the Scantron distribution process more convenient for students . SGA also provides a variety of scholarships each semester, for a broad range of students, as well as free printing. Students can pick up any combination of 2 items per day, which includes 20 scantrons (pink or brown) throughout the semester, as well as 3 greenbooks.
Student Perspectives on the Free Scantron Program
Many UCF students appreciate the free Scantron service offered by the SGA. Some students, like Harding, plan ahead and visit the SGA office daily to collect their free Scantron, building up a stockpile. "I like going once a day and being able to get a Scantron. I have a stockpile of them so it works fine for me," Harding said.
However, some students find the SGA's distribution method inconvenient. Quatia Jenkins, a freshman Nursing major, would prefer UCF to adopt the distribution methods used by other major Florida universities, where professors provide Scantrons on test days. For students with limited time, visiting the Student Union to pick up a Scantron before a test can be challenging.
Read also: Best Hair Salons near Rice University
Both Jenkins and Harding have observed that some students stockpile free Scantrons and then sell them to others who do not want to wait in line at the SGA office. This practice may have contributed to Scantron shortages at UCF in 2009. In contrast, the distribution methods used at other universities ensure that each student receives one Scantron per test, reducing waste.
Kayla Kelley, a Sophomore Psychology major, says that she has no issue with the current method of distributing Scantrons at UCF, but she would be open to a change that would mimic the methods of other schools. "It would be a lot more convenient if they handed it out to us," Kelly said. She referred to how her biology professor requires them to turn in seven Scantrons at the beginning of the semester so that they won’t have to worry about going to get one on test day and would be open to more professors doing this as well.
Camila Cymring, a Junior majoring in Advertising and Public Relations, said that she had no idea there were other methods of distributing Scantrons at other schools, but now that she knows about them she would love for UCF to have a similar process. “I would obviously love it because it would be easier and cheaper,” Cymring said.
SGA's Fiscal Responsibility
The SGA spends approximately $25,000 annually on Scantrons. Alex Perna emphasizes that the SGA is committed to fiscal responsibility in managing the Scantron program. "We’re trying to be as fiscally responsible as we can with the Scantrons," Perna said. While the current distribution method may not be the most economical, the SGA is working to prevent students from taking advantage of the free Scantron benefit.
Purchasing Scantrons
In addition to the SGA's free Scantron program, students can purchase Scantrons from the UCF bookstore or from vending machines located around campus. This option provides an alternative for students who prefer not to visit the SGA office daily or who need more than one Scantron at a time.
Read also: US Education System Performance
Alternative Distribution Methods
Some students and faculty have suggested alternative Scantron distribution methods, such as those used at Florida State University, the University of Florida, and the University of South Florida. In these universities, professors typically provide Scantrons to students on test days. This approach ensures that all students have the necessary materials for the exam and eliminates the need for students to acquire Scantrons on their own.
Another suggestion is for professors to collect Scantrons from students at the beginning of the semester, as Kayla Kelley's biology professor does. This method allows students to prepare in advance and avoids the last-minute rush to obtain a Scantron before an exam.
Addressing Potential Issues
Any changes to the Scantron distribution system should address potential issues such as waste and cost. Providing Scantrons for each student on test days, as practiced at other universities, could reduce waste by ensuring that only the necessary number of Scantrons are used. Implementing a system where professors collect Scantrons at the beginning of the semester could also help to minimize waste and ensure that all students have the materials they need.
Green Books
In addition to Scantrons, the SGA also provides free Green Books, which are similar to traditional Blue Books but made of 30% post-consumer recycled paper. Students can pick up any combination (2 items per day) of 3 greenbooks throughout the semester. Green Books are available at the same locations as Scantrons: the Student Government Offices on the third floor of the Student Union. Green Books can still be purchased in several vending machines on campus and at the bookstore.
Read also: Waterville's Colby College
tags: #UCF #scantron #locations
