Classroom Scheduling With the Wait List

Setting up a waitlist

Wait list information will roll from the previous comparable quarter with all other scheduling information. Thus, when setting up a wait list for 05S, information will have been rolled over from 04S.

As the wait list is being activated for the first time in 04S, there will be no comparable data to roll forward for the first three quarters it is in production. Departments wishing to use the wait list in 04S, 04F, and 05W will need to enter all wait list information manually for those quarters. Those departments choosing to implement wait lists for the first time after 05W will need to follow a similar process for the first three quarters they use wait lists.

Turning the wait list on

The default setting for a wait list is "N—Do not keep a wait list".

To turn it on, locate field RC045 on the lower right hand corner of screen 129: "Wait List". Enter a "Y" in this field.

If a class has a corequesite, you must turn the wait list on for all corequisite sections. For example, if a lecture has a corequisite discussion, the wait list field must be set to "Y" for both sections. Both sections must also have a number entered in the field for wait list size (see the next paragraph for instructions on setting wait list size). The sizes of the wait list do not have to match; they just need to be turned on with some number entered in the size field.

Set the size of the wait list

Locate field RC187 on the bottom middle of screen 129: "Wait List Max". Enter the size of the wait list.

Determining an appropriate length for your wait list.

The first year of your wait list use will require you to determine an appropriate starting length for your wait list. A report of unduplicated unsuccessful add attempts for Spring 03 courses is included with the first release of this document. The accuracy of these records is not expected to be high in the first year or two of wait list use. This is due to add attempts being controlled in various other manners in past years. For example, some students do not attempt actual enrollment using PAWS once they have seen in the Schedule of Classes that seats are not available. Many departments control add activity using permit codes, which are not reflected in the report. Other departments have lowered enrollment maximums to control enrollment. Still others have never matched overall discussion enrollment limits to lecture enrollment. It is expected that the reports will have increasing accuracy as departments move toward wait list use and away from other enrollment management techniques.

Looking at your wait list

You can see the students on your wait list, as well as indication if they were added by permit code on screen 108. As of Spring 2004, this screen is view only.

Putting the wait list on hold

Please note that holding the wait list will hold wait list processing until you either turn it back on by entering "Y" or close it by entering "C". Students attempting to add themselves to the wait list will receive a message on GROWL indicating simply that the course is full.

Locate field RC045 on the lower right hand corner of screen 129: "Wait List".

Enter an "H" in this field.

Closing the wait list

Locate field RC045 on the lower right hand corner of screen 129: "Wait List".

Enter a "C" in this field.

Please note that closing the wait list will drop all the names off screen 108 that evening. All students on the wait list will receive a web mail advising them the wait list for this section has been closed and to look for another section if appropriate.

 


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