Last fall, I was quoted by the Argus as being optimistic regarding the prospects of the electronic drop/add system. Now that it is in use for the first time, I would like to take this opportunity to reflect with you on the goals and operation of the system.
As you recall, the electronic drop/add system was designed to address our University’s course access problem. Until this semester, the problem was exacerbated by the inefficiency of the paper system. Under the old system, if a student decided to drop a class, that student may not have turned in the drop/add slip until the end of the drop/add period, so that no one could take that spot. The new system allows us to drop the class immediately, allowing another student to pick it up. By conducting drop and add transactions online, we as students have constant, up-to-date information as to which classes have openings. Since we all have the same access to the information, every student has an equal opportunity to pick up a seat that has been dropped.
Certainly, we all still can and will communicate with professors trying to persuade them to let us into their classes. Interpersonal contact can, will, and should persist.
Nonetheless, many of us have been frustrated with or confused by aspects of the system. I hope that students and professors alike will grow increasingly comfortable with it. In the meantime, feel free to call the Electronic Drop/Add Help Line (x 3222) with any question or problem.
I encourage you to send feedback about the system to me as well as to Anna van der Burg, Registrar, and Billy Weitzer, Senior Associate Provost and Dean of Continuing Studies. We are all working toward a fairer and more efficient process for getting into courses so that the drop/add period will be less stressful and more successful for all.
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