Registration for the spring 2001 semester fell short of the standard set by last semester's smooth class selection process when a number of students experienced difficulties logging on or remaining logged on to Student Information System (SIS) Online. Many were prevented from choosing their classes at their scheduled times because of technological difficulties, such as the failure of requisite advisor approval postings to register with the system.
University administrators have identified several factors - including complications within the computing system and the high number of students registering - which may explain the unanticipated problems.
Upgrades to the computer mainframe were made this summer to enhance the system, but they have instead caused havoc, slowing down the registration process, said Dean of Academic Services and Student Affairs Kristine Dillon. Dillon defended the upgrades, however, saying that despite the glitches, they were needed by the central computing staff.
Administrators are still researching why the upgrade, as well as the other complications, affected only certain system users. The upgrade problem could be linked to the large number of people simultaneously attempting to login and register for classes. The freshman class was able to register online for their fall courses in September without similar difficulties.
"I am absolutely confident that TCCS [Tufts Computing and Communication Services] will take care of the problem," Dillon said.
Students with registration difficulties were told to get help at either Dowling or Eaton Halls, where staffers were on hand to assist.
Freshman Katrina Elio had trouble registering, and after trying for hours on student computers, she went to Eaton for help. "I would get to the 'spring 2001 page' where you put in your classes, but when I hit 'submit' I was told the page had expired," she said.
At Eaton, her registration was completed in a matter of seconds.
"It took me over an hour to register and I had to use three different computers," said freshman Uuyanna Calvin. "I got four of my classes, and even those were really hard. Then I got timed out."
While only a small fraction of the campus experienced difficulties, the situation did prompt a campus-wide e-mail Wednesday night to apologize for the inconvenience and offer assistance to students who had still not been able to register.
But this solution was not a remedy for some students who experienced difficulty logging in at their assigned times. Even though they did eventually access the website, the students complained that they lost out on the chance to register for courses that later filled up. Unfortunately, their only option is to proceed with the normal add/drop process, which starts in January when classes begin.
Among the various technical and logistical issues, many students expressed concern over how registration times were determined. Seniors always register first and are followed by the other classes in turn. Within the blocks of graduation years, however, assignment is not computed in any specific way. Credits are not taken into account, and the only universal goal in compiling the times is that students do not have the same time as the previous semester. There is no assurance that someone with an early time will have that same privilege the next semester.
Administrators say that the main concern for next fall's registration process will be to improve the speed of the system, and eliminate this semester's hitches. No major changes will be made to SIS online, but there are tentative plans to include an online add/drop option next fall.
