A Revolution in Academic Advising at a Texas Community College

Orientation by CD-ROM and mandatory attendance help turn around a deficient program

By ERIK LORDS

Dallas

It's the last -- and most chaotic -- day for students to register for classes at Richland College. But Noelle O'Hart, a sophomore business major, isn't panicking.

As she thumbs through a course catalog while standing in a long line at the advising...