The new electronic wait list system is alive in its pilot semester but has been met with mixed reviews by professors.
The departments of biology, economics, politics, and Spanish/Italian currently are utilizing the electronic wait list to combat course over-enrollment.
There are approximately 2,000 filled spots on the electronic wait lists. Students can put themselves on up to three course wait lists.
Politics Prof. David Klein said the sorting capability of the electronic system has helped prioritize students on the wait list.
"The nice thing about the wait list is that you can sort the wait list in three ways --by major, by year, and by the time students put themselves on the wait list," he said.
Without the electronic wait list, professors have to manage hundreds of e-mails from students seeking enrollment in full classes.
Klein said the electronic wait list is nice because he used get 80 to 100 e-mails per semester which he would have to sort through himself.
Politics Prof. Paul Freedman agreed the electronic wait list has been effective so far.
"Based on my experience with it so far, the electronic wait list has been tremendously useful," Freedman said.
Other professors, however, were not completely satisfied with the electronic wait list.
"While I do think it is moving in the right direction, it puts a burden on the secretaries who have to enter so much information," Biology Prof. Jeffrey Wimsatt said. "It's a multi-step process. It would be nice if students could enter more information directly."
Freedman said while the system is effective in many ways, it is far from perfect.
"With any transition to a new system, there are some bumps," he said, adding that more widespread use would require start-up costs and instructions on how to use the system.
Freedman said there is still room for improvement.
"Right now, students have no idea of where they stand on the waitlist," he said. "It could have more information."
Some professors expressed optimism about potential benefits the new system could bring in the future.
Pellón said he hopes the electronic wait list will help adjust the size of individual departments.
"Sizes of classes are definitely a pedagogical problem," Pellón said. "My colleagues are excited about the wait list because it might help increase the size of the department. It might help in hiring decisions. We need to have more small seminars so that students have the chance to talk more."
Freedman said the electronic wait list could revolutionize the enrollment system.
"It really has the potential to make the system easier," he said. "Theoretically, it could do away with course action forms."
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