Thread: WWBD- enrollment

hello

WWBD?

i have a pretty strict "enrol for the whole series" or not policy. we average 150-200 students, and working on a drop in base would drive me crazy logistically AND in how i run my classes (they build on each other)...

but there is always those with "legitimate" reasons. like there is one now, she leaves the country hafl way throug the series, so could she pay for half?

i dont know! i'd like to be nice and accomodating and say yes, but my fear is if i say yes, well, everyone is going to start coming up with this. many students miss the first two or even three lessons cause they have exams, others go on a midterm holiday etc etc etc. high school students often miss a few classes at the end of december for their exams, etc etc. if i say yes to one person, what's the limit.
so far i've only done refunds after the fact for people that paid but missed pretty much all of the classes for a medical reason (like an accident). but what with those who want to know beforehand if they can pay for 'just some of the classes'. i also dont want to start having to check who shows up for how many lessons... etc.

yes, i know; class cards etc, but we really DO NOT want to do that, as everything is always full, and then we would totally loose any overview of how many people there are in class.

so how Strict are you all on this, those that work on a "pay per class series" basis?

Artemisia

I feel for you - wanting to keep students happy AND running a business sometimes conflicts with each other.

You're right - if you do it for one, you have to do it for everyone. So, I look at it this way - if you went to a college, and wanted to sign up for an accounting class, but KNEW you could only make half the classes, would you ask the school if you could only pay for half? Or would you ask the school if you could pay on a "drop-in" basis? That just wouldn't happen. (at least not here). Would you go to a restaurant, not finish your meal, then ask for a refund on the portion you didn't eat? (Ok, maybe that was a bit silly...but you get my point).

I don't think you should have to compromise your business - which, IMHO, is what I think you would be doing - to suit someone's schedule. You have a business model and a financial structure set up this way for a specific reason. Bending your policy *after* the fact, for someone who broke a leg or something, I think is very nice. But changing the policy up front might be setting a precedent you don't want. Students have to sometimes decide between classes and other things...(like holidays)....but that is their responsibility, not yours.

You still have your bills to pay so you have to charge students tuition to pay them correct? So if you start cutting into your rates well you know where that may lead. I am not a belly dance teacher but as a student I would expect to pay the monthly or semester rate no matter how many classes I was able to take because of circumstances that may come up. That is just how it is.

EM

EM

Originally Posted by elljay

You're right - if you do it for one, you have to do it for everyone.

Why?

A director will make these decisions based on individual circumstances, if artemisia thinks leaving the country half way through the session is a viable reason to reduced the over all payment, so be it. It's her dance school and business and not anyone else's place to make a judgement call.

Artemisia, is there really anyone other than you that knows intimately the ins and outs of any pay arrangements may make with your students?

We also have a large school that operates strictly on pre pay. But sometimes things come up and you need to be flexible.

If you have a student known to be reliable And has a genuine quandary And it's within your power to sort out an arrangement re classes and payment And you have the desire to do so, then do it. If you have doubts and feel this is pushing at your ethical boundaries then don't.

I always think of this builder I know. He built an extension for this lady, and she was really broke, and he could see this keenly, since he was there every day. So he ended up charging her a lot less for it, despite having worked day and night to put the thing up. He ended up just covering his materials costs. Later, his own family (2 children), had to go without. As he hasn't been working on a 'paying job' in favour of completing the ladies job. Later when talking about it he said "I literally took the food out of my childrens mouths", and he kicked himself a lot over that. Now I know possibly you do not have family commitments, but perhaps you would like to pay into your pension / healthcare /dental plan.

Having said all of that , I agree with Nanda that it is your discretion, but you should consider if you can really afford to.

I'm very strict on my policy. Because what you're paying for is a reserved space in the classroom, and I may have to turn someone else away. It's not fair to me OR the student who wanted to attend the full session if I give you her spot for half price.

People who travel a lot, etc. have a problem, I can clearly see that. But it is THEIR problem. I guarantee you they won't get a 'pay only for the days you use' arrangement from their landlords, phone companies, etc. These are choices that individual has to make.

I'm more accommodating when someone has a serious heath issue, etc. But if the person *knows* when they sign up that they can only attend half the classes, it's really their tough decision to make.

What I will do is allow that person to come on a drop-in basis IF the session isn't full. They take their chances, and I can't slow the class down for them to cover what they've missed. But I have to be fair to the majority of students in the room and give them what they're paying for, which is a series of dances that moves forward at a reasonable pace.

Other like me with small classes. I have 30 on my books but rather more like 12 are really interested. For eg last class was new signing on. My students can pay for 10 classes or 5 within the same block. New girls all have a free taster class.
So I have a student turn up saying she has only had 3 classes ( and her free) out of the 10 weeks and why can't she have her other 2 in the new block...er no..I have rent, ins etc to pay and I had explained all this right at the beginning.
" Oh well I'll come again if my friends do"
My thoughts "don't bother, dear..I'll carry on with those who turn up every week they can and are moving on nicely."

I copied this from another thread.

I do give the concession of paying for 5 out of the 10 week block and that's really for students who work shifts, have family demands etc.It ends of course on the same date. How on earth do people think I can make the rent, pay insurances and training if I let them come just when they feel like it.
I travel some distance to teach this class so I don't tread on the toes of my local teachers so there's time involved as well.
If they went to local evening classes they'd have to pay for a whole term .
I have one girl who has had a bereavement and only managed 1 of 5, she has been given the message I will honour the other 4 lessons in the new block ( teachers should have control without being rigid.)
Frankly I teach because I can and because I get to dance practise myself but give me half the chance I'd rather just practise with my dance troupe and should they ever increase practises, I'm off.
I don't do it for loadsamoney, on the other hand I'm not gonna be outa breath and outa pocket.
I find teaching frustrating as I'm a typical UK teacher without a studio
( except for the privates I do once a week..which I love!)teaching the usual proportion of funsters to obsessed and taking in new beginners to a mixed level class.
I don't however teach in school holidays so the blocks are fair and do summer workshops for the interested or they can come to privates.

Another way to go is perhaps have them pay for 8 classes that they can take in a 10 week block.
Certainly with your numbers to do anything more complicated would be a nightmare for the books. And trying to make sure everyone pays their drop in cash each week...naaahhhhh.I'll retire before that!

I use a pay-per-term policy (10 classes per term) where the students pay on on beforehand or on the day of the first class to reserve their spot in the class. if the class is not full I also offer the possibility for 'drop-ins', but the students pay a higher rate per class for that. There are 2 students who work shifts, they agreed to pay me 5 of the 10 classes on beforehand and if they can make it to more of the classes at last minute they pay the 'drop-in' rate for those extra classes.

Edited to add: students that pay for a whole term can also make up for missed classes in one of the other groups

As a student I have no problem with instructors setting up enrollment policies which serve their business interests. However, whether or not it makes good business sense can also depend on the market. Personally I feel I can only afford one enrollment class per season (being both a time & money situation), so I take a lot of drop-ins as well. I want to get my money's worth out of the enrollment sessions, so I go to studios where I can get make-ups during the session if I happen to miss a class or two. What's also nice is, with an enrollment session, I usually know something about the class content ahead of time. I feel lucky to be in an area where there is a lot choice. Still, it can be hard to find out about all the opportunities in our area. It's hit or miss & word of mouth, there is no sure way to find out about everything easily.