Between dodging traffic on Thurstin Avenue, attending sports events and familiarizing himself with the places and people on campus, the new University registrar is starting to picture Bowling Green as home.

Christopher Cox is a former associate registrar from Cornell University. He began work at BGSU March 31 and has since found himself adjusting to life in Bowling Green with anticipation.

“One of my primary goals is to learn about the culture of BGSU and what it is that students, faculty and advisors, and anyone else who uses these services, would like to see in the next couple years,” he said. “And once I get a handle on that I’ll be able to start setting some specific goals.”

The size of the University is to his liking, Cox said.

“I’m very comfortable with the size, there is a lot of excitement but not overwhelming,” he said. “Higher Ed is a wonderful place to work and it’s an environment that really suites me. I’m really enjoying the new faces and experiences.”

The transition to Bowling Green and his new position have been smooth thus far, Cox said.

“There is a great staff here and they are extremely knowledgeable about what this office needs to perform,” he said. “So far I’ve really enjoyed the people that I’ve been meeting with here and across the University, and everybody’s been wonderful, very easy to talk with and easy to approach.”

The Office of Registration and Records is responsible for students’ class registration and the source of academic records at the University.

“One of my primary focuses on day-to-day operations is watching the student enrollment numbers,” Cox said.

The registrar also works with the associate deans and the undergraduate and graduate councils and those who support the business of the University, he said.

Although following graduation he never expected to work as a registrar, Cox has come to enjoy his position.

“It’s the broad experience that you get, the registrar’s office is involved in many different facets of the University,” he said. “No two days are alike.”

The University is currently implementing PeopleSoft in the Department of Human Resources and in areas of finance, with the prospect of possibly implementing it for students also, Cox said.

PeopleSoft is a data record for bio demographics, college major information, college enrollment and transcript records, among others, Cox said.

Cox has extensive experience with the system as he worked with the software for seven years, since it began.

“At Cornell we partnered with PeopleSoft to help them design the student administration software,” Cox said. “So we were one of the first schools to sign up for the new product.”

Cox began working part-time at Cornell University following receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Michigan Technological University.

He was soon hired full-time and worked as associate registrar for 11 years. Cox is also a member of the Middle States Association of Collegiate Registrars and Officers of Admission and the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers. He is also a member of the PeopleSoft Higher Education User Group.

Currently Cox is residing in Founders Hall while he looks for a home in Bowling Green for his family

“It was bit of an adjustment for me coming back to campus,” he said. “Dorm life’s not as enjoyable as it was [in college]. It’s a little more difficult than I imagined.”

Cox hopes to find a home in Bowling Green for himself, wife Linda and two sons, Ryan age 6 and Dylan age 2. They are currently living in New York, during the transition period.

“They’re really excited about the opportunity,” Cox said. “My wife has visited a couple times now and we really think we’re going to like it here.”

First impressions of Bowling Green have been positive, Cox said.

“I’m really looking forward to getting my family down here and settled,” Cox said. “If everyone is as friendly as they’ve been so far it’s going to be a great place to raise a family.”

Among his hobbies and interests are golf and fishing, Cox said. He is also dabbling in woodworking and furniture making.

It is from his love of sports that Cox first came to know Bowling Green, Cox said.

A season ticket holder for Cornell hockey for 20 years, attending BGSU sports events is on the top of his list of things to do here, he said.

“I’m a die hard Division I hockey fan,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to hockey season.”

While grad school is not something Cox is pursuing now, it may be in the future, he said. He may look into higher education administration in the next few years.

“I looked at Bowling Green for grad school,” Cox said. “I knew that it would be a good fit with the size and composition. I want to get my feet solidly on the ground before I do that.”

Co-workers in the Department of Registration and Records have been adjusting to the new registrar as well.

“Chris has been very easy to get along with and really easy to talk to,” said Peg Crow, assistant to the registrar. “He makes you feel comfortable in that he has a good personality.”

Prior to Cox, the registrar was Rebecca McComber, who retired in June 2004 after nine years of service.

“It’s been a really easy transition due to Chris’s personality,” Crow said. “We’re excited to have him on board.”

Co-worker and student services counselor Cheryl Williams, echoes Crow’s views.

“He’s so far been very friendly and very open,” she said. “So we’re hoping for good things.”