How does automatic waitlisting work?
Students who attempt to register for a closed section may add their names to the waitlist for that section. If a seat in the section becomes available, notice will be sent to the Sewanee email address of the student at the top of the waitlist, who will have a minimum of 24 hours to log in to Banner Self-Service and add the class.
The open seat will be reserved solely for the student at the top of the waitlist: no other student may register for the seat during the specified time period. If the student at the top of the waitlist does not add the class within the specified period, that student will be removed from the waitlist and the next student on the list will be notified.
Do students need to receive special permission from the faculty member to add their names to the waitlist for a closed class?
No, automatic waitlisting means that students do not need to make a special request to add their names to waitlists. Instead, they simply choose the waitlist option from the drop-down menu after attempting to register for a closed class. Students may attempt registration for a closed class by navigating to the “Add or Drop Classes” page in Banner Self-Service, entering the five-digit CRN in the “Add Classes Worksheet,” and clicking “Submit Changes.
Automatic waitlisting also means that faculty members do not have to field special requests, maintain waitlists, and record overrides when seats become available. Faculty members may still record overrides for otherwise qualified students who do not meet course prerequisites, corequisites, or restrictions. Faculty may also record overrides for students who have insignificant time conflicts. Faculty must record the 'Consent to Add after One Week' override for students they wish to permit into a course during the second week of the semester.
Are students who sign up for a waitlist guaranteed a seat in the class?
No, there is no guarantee that even one seat in a class will become available for students on a waitlist. For this reason, students should register for a full complement of at least four full courses or the equivalent in addition to any waitlisted sections.
Even though there are no guarantees, what are the chances that one or more seats will become available for students on the waitlist for a class?
No one can say for sure. Chances of getting a seat in a closed class are better for students who have a high position on the waitlist; however, even the first student on the waitlist may not be offered a seat. In general, we expect only a few waitlisted students at most will be offered seats in any given class section. Again, students on a waitlist should not assume that a seat in the class will become available and should register for at least four full courses or the equivalent in addition to any waitlisted sections.
How are students on a waitlist prioritized?
Waitlists for most classes are prioritized on a first-come, first-served basis. That is, the first student signing up for the waitlist will be offered the first available seat in the section. Some waitlists for upper-level courses may be prioritized by class standing (seniors to freshmen), date of matriculation, and date and time of waitlisting.
How do seats become available in a section with a waitlist?
A seat in a closed section becomes available when a registered student drops the class or when the enrollment limit is increased.
Are there any requirements to get on the waitlist for a section?
Yes, students must meet all academic requirements, including course prerequisites and restrictions, in order to waitlist for a closed class.
Can students avoid the waitlist for a closed class by asking the faculty member for a registration override?
No, it would not be fair to students on the waitlist if other students could bypass the list altogether.
Automatic waitlisting means that students no longer need to request that their names be added to a waitlist. It also means that faculty members no longer need to field such requests, maintain waitlists, and record overrides when seats become available. Faculty members may still record overrides for otherwise qualified students who do not meet course prerequisites, corequisites, or restrictions. Faculty may also record overrides for students who have insignificant time conflicts.
What about students who really need a closed class to meet requirements?
Students who are approaching graduation and have a pressing need to register for a required course should register for that course during their first registration window. Seniors and juniors are seldom closed out of required courses if they prioritize such courses over electives. Students who find a required class closed should add their names to the waitlist and register for an alternative course.
Is there a way for students to know their position on a waitlist?
Students may view their waitlisted classes by viewing their class schedule in their Banner Self-Service accounts. A student in position 1 (one) on a waitlist is next in line if a seat becomes available. A student in position 1 (one) will move into position 0 (zero) if a seat becomes available and will receive notification that a seat has become available and will have at least 24 hours to log in and register.
What happens if a student at the top of the waitlist does not register for an open seat within 24 hours of receiving email notification?
A student who is offered an available seat and does not register within the specified window will be dropped from the waitlist and the seat will be offered to the next student on the list. For this reason, students should check their Sewanee email accounts at least twice each day, especially if they are close to the top of a waitlist.
Is there a limit to the number of waitlists to which students may add their names?
Yes, students may sign up for a maximum of four waitlists during waitlist registration. Those who add their name to more than four waitlists will be removed from lists after the fourth. Student who wish to add additional waitlist(s) after previously signing up for four others should first drop one or more of the earlier waitlists.
What if students waitlist a class and later decide that they are no longer interested?
As a courtesy to other students, it is expected that students will drop themselves from the waitlists of any sections they no longer plan to take.
May students add their names to the waitlist for more than one section of the same course?
Yes. Although they may not register for two or more sections of the same course, students may add their name to the waitlists of more than one section of the same course. For example, students may be registered for a course but prefer to take the course at a different time. Students may remain in the current section and add their name to the waitlist for additional sections of the same course. If the student is notified that a seat is available in the waitlisted section, the registered section must first be dropped before adding the waitlisted section.
May a student waitlist a class that has a time conflict with another course?
Yes. Although they may not register for sections with time conflicts, students may add themselves to waitlists that have time conflicts with other registered or waitlisted sections. If the student is notified that a seat is available in the waitlisted section, the registered section must first be dropped before adding the waitlisted section.
Is there a limit to the number of seats available for waitlisting in a section?
There is no precise limit, but remember that only a few waitlisted students are likely to be offered seats in any given class section. Students should not assume that a seat in a waitlisted class will become available and should register for at least four full courses in addition to any waitlisted sections.
How does waitlisting work with fee payment deadlines?
Students are required to pay tuition and fees for the Advent semester by July 31 and for the Easter semester by December 31. Students who have an outstanding balance after the payment deadline may be dropped from registered and waitlisted classes. A student’s position on a waitlist may improve after a payment deadline if other students in higher positions were dropped for non-payment.
How long are waitlists maintained?
Students will be able to add their names to a waitlist through the first week of classes. Automatic notification of available seats will continue through the ninth day of classes, but waitlisted students will require explicit approval from the professor for late entry into a class.
Can a student waitlist the linked laboratory or community engagement component of a course?
No, waitlists are not available for linked laboratory components (sections L1, L2, L3, etc.) and linked community engagement components (sections C1, C2, C3, etc.).
If a student on a waitlist receives notification of an available seat and has a registration hold, may the student register for the waitlisted class?
No, registration holds must be cleared prior to any registration activity, including waitlist activity.
What happens if a student on a waitlist receives notice of an available seat and accidentally drops the class?
As long as the student is within the designated time period, it is possible to add the class by going to the “Add or Drop Classes” page in Banner Self-Service, typing in the CRN in the “Add Classes Worksheet,” and submitting the changes.