New policy for waitlist begins

CSM has implemented new waitlist timeline regulations from 72 hours to 24 hours for students to add a waitlisted class to quickly fill classroom seats since the beginning of spring 2012 semester.

“The goal is to make sure that all students have an opportunity to enroll in classes and fill classes to their capacity,” said Jennifer Hughes, Vice President of Student Services.

The District-wide Fee Payment Committee is responsible for implementing the new waitlist regulation. The change resulted from the committee’s review of the 2012 fee payment process, conducted early spring 2012.

“We heard from many students ... that they got into more classes from the waitlists, especially during the two weeks prior to the start of the spring semester when the waitlist time changed from 72 to 24 hours,” said Hughes.

“Moving the waitlists along in a more timely manner seems to be resulting in more students getting into classes,” she said.

The committee conducted a faculty survey early in the spring to obtain feedback on the new payment process. A number of instructors stated more students were able to get into their waitlisted classes.

Effective summer and fall registration the 24-hour waitlist policy will be used throughout the entire registration period rather than just the two weeks prior to the start of the semester. If a student does not enroll within the 24-hour deadline they will be dropped from the list and the next student will be offered a spot on the teacher’s roster.

Although the district-wide ee Payment Committee has made this regulation in order to help students get into impacted classes, many CSM students do not agree with the new waitlist timeline.

“Getting a schedule that fits into my job schedule is already stressful enough without these short deadlines for waitlist classes,” said student Jeff Tanguay, 20.