The beginning of a semester brings to mind the ritual of University class registration. In the days before early mainframe computers and the University’s current online registration system ISIS, signing up for classes at the University was a test of patience requiring waiting in lines. Long, long lines. For five days in September 1950, more than 13,000 Hawkeye scholars filed through the Field House to participate in this annual adventure (photo below). The process was automated by the 1970s and eliminated altogether by the 1990s, thanks to the Internet.

(Source—University Archives, Department of Special Collections, F.W. Kent Collection of Photographs, Events and Activities Series, Registration folder)

 

In 1952, if you had the misfortune of having a last name starting with “F,” you tumbled out of bed and arrived at the Field House bright and early—well, early at least—at 8 a.m. The Office of the Registrar provided maze-like maps, guiding registrants from the starting gate (advisors), through the labyrinth (departments and colleges), and finishing off with a photo op—for your ID card.

—David McCartney, University Archivist

(Source—University Archives, Department of Special Collections, Subject Vertical Files, Registrar: Registration Field House folder)