<p>I know that this comes up every time registration comes around, but as a freshman I figured that we could attribute this to the larger incoming classes as of late. But even second semester, the school has done nothing to create enough classes for students. Registration has only recently begun, and already almost all classes are filled up. I just don't see how Tulane can justify being essentially the most expensive school in the country, and not hire anywhere near enough professors. </p>
<p>Just something to consider for prospective students, as tuition is hiking thousands of dollars again next year with seemingly no improvements.</p>
<p>Last semester they added more classes when they saw where the demand was heaviest. At least that is what was said on here. Probably that will happen again, but I would also make sure that you make your concerns clear to the Deans of every school where this is a problem and the Administrative Deans. Coming onto a forum like this is fine, it generates awareness and conversation. But like the crime problem last semester, it was action from students and parents that got quicker results.</p>
<p>Make an appointment with whichever administrator (MacLaren? Bernstein? Not sure which) is responsible for making sure there is a balance between what is offered and what is desired by the students. Get their view of the situation and see what you think.</p>
<p>Of course I realize that this isn’t any way of going about it, but I’m just frustrated. The way this school conducts its business is so focused on money with no regard to the students. Yes, they have acted strongly on crime, but that’s because only so many students can be pistol whipped until the school starts getting serious attention. There are no spots left in the vast majority of classes, with wait lists in the double digits before sophomores are even halfway through registering. I don’t want to see what the freshmen are going to have to pick through.</p>
<p>My son is having the same issue headingsouth. I have told him to be patient (telling myself that too) because I think the situation will resolve itself. There is no way they are going to freeze people out of courses required for their majors/programs. I am sure they will add sections as necessary, but they also don’t want to have too many sections of some classes and empty classrooms. Hopefully it’s just a case of supply and demand - but we too are frustrated at the moment. And don’t even get me started on the housing for sophomores situation. Things will work out I am sure, but it is frustrating to not be able to go into the system and get it done. My son feels like he is wasting valuable time planning his schedule only to find that he can’t get any of the sections he wants or even some of the classes he needs. Now he has to keep monitoring so he doesn’t miss the boat if an opportunity to slide into a class opens up.</p>
<p>Some of the scheduling problems come from students who overschedule with the intention of dropping one or more classes. From what I have seen in the past, many of the closed classes start to open up as time goes by and, for those that don’t, they add more classes. Of course, this is not the case with all of them but it does happen often. Although it’s very frustrating, it usually seems to work out in the end.</p>
<p>some classesshow serious problems with the registrar making enough classes. For instance math1140, bstats, is a required business course. There are 6 sections of it with about 30 total seats, every single section is completely booked up with a waiting list of 20+ people… this shows that the registrar needs to make AT LEAST 4 more sections to the 6 they already have. Oh, and these waitlists have been this large since the last day of registration, 3 days ago… so the registrat must not be too considerate of wait list sizes</p>
<p>My son is also waitlisted for Business Stats. I feel sure that they will add sections of that class - particularly since it is, as you say, required and also, so many other classes list it as a prerequisite. Last semester my son was waitlisted for a fine arts class that I never expected him to get into - not nearly as critical as this, but he did. They found a larger classroom which I am sure takes some juggling, so I know it’s hard, but try to be patient. I have recommended that my son go see his advisor. Sometimes it pays to be the squeaky wheel.</p>
<p>There are now 136 students wait-listed for Business Statistics; a class where all sections combined have only 175 spots. This means a little more than half of Tulane’s B-school students will be meeting one of the most important prerequisite business courses on time. As a student who is intending to double-major, I can essentially choose between dropping one of my majors, or staying here another year. </p>
<p>But wait, there’s more. Because of political conflict between the B-school and Math department, they do not accept B-stat transfer credits from other schools. Under no circumstances. Prospective business students be warned.</p>
<p>I really would think they will add more sections. Have you talked to both the Dean of the B School and Dean MacLaren? If not, you really should.</p>
<p>Fallenchemist, I really hope they do, but I am not holding my breath. Both my Newcomb and Business school advisers have simply avoided my question.</p>
<p>At the moment, I am trying to work my way up the ranks to get this summer course situation resolved, because I was truly infuriated when I was informed of the reason they would not accept B-Stat credits. It’s such a petty reason that affects only the students, not the bickering Mathematics department and Business school. I have emailed the professor who rejected my credit transfer form, but have not yet received a response, nor am I optimistic that I will receive one. I have friends who have also been rejected by him, and claim he has simply ignored their attempts to reach him for weeks.</p>
<p>If people ignore you, document the numerous attempts to reach them into a nice, easy to follow package and go to a Dean or department chair. Same with the advisors. There is never any excuse for accepting substandard assistance, especially from a school like Tulane. I know the university dynamic is a bit odd compared to most institutions, but in the end you are still the customer, possibly paying $55,000 a year to be there. You have every right to expect superior value, if for no other reason (although one would hope there are more high minded reasons) then at least for that one.</p>
<p>Please know that this particular class issue is not unique to Tulane, I know of several other middle to large sized schools with similiar problems. So, please don’t say no to Tulane just because of this issue. It is one that can usually be fixed with some patience and flexibility.</p>
<p>Also, please know that while this is a frustrating problem for some students, and in a perfect world it wouldn’t be a problem for anyone, it is not a problem for all students at Tulane. My D is finishing her freshman year, is on schedule with her program, has taken 19 and 17 hours the two semester this year and is signed up for 15 for the fall, all in classes that will fulfill a graduation requirement for distribution, major or minor areas.</p>
<p>Not all students will have class scheduling issues, and the ones that do can usually fix it by talking with the professor, a department chair, or a dean (and having a paper trail of these conversations); or simply taking a different class to fulfill a different requirement this time around.</p>
<p>Yes and yes. Meaning it is a problem that happens at lots of schools, where students get shut out of required classes, but yes, it should be addressed. I am guessing that the higher-than-expected enrollment the past few years is not being felt in terms of the number of sections, seats, faculty to teach and TA, etc these classes. While they could anticipate the increased enrollment in the core classes, they would not necessarily have known what major these students would select, so have to adjust the class schedules as this becomes more apparent.</p>
<p>To be fair, as a freshman, filling out a schedule was much easier. It was essentially a year for Gen-Ed requirements, meaning you could take anything and it would help somewhere. I got into classes that weren’t necessarily my ideal choices, but at least I got in.</p>
<p>As you get past Gen-Ed requirements, however, that’s when trouble comes. I can’t just sign up for any random class anymore; I am a Business student and I need specific business classes, which just aren’t available. It’s frustrating because the Math department refuses to acknowledge the problem- they won’t even accept summer transfer credits for a class they are so desperately overfilled in. The man in charge of these transfers finally responded to me, and he has been able to completely avoid addressing any of my arguments and instead finding new and creative ways to say “no.”</p>
<p>In all honesty, I will probably find some way to fill my schedule with random courses that barely help me toward my degree. But I am sophomore who finally has most of my Gen-Ed requirements out of the way- I should be able to take classes that interest me, not whatever the hell is left without a 50 person waitlist. </p>
<p>I have had a good first year at Tulane, and I’d hate to spoil its reputation at all- but this is ridiculous. There has to be accountability, and if every department head is going to turn the other way, what can be done? Fallenchemist, I know that you say the Dean is the next step, and that would be ideal, but I don’t know how realistic that will be this time of year.</p>
<p>They have started to add sections to some classes. Math 1230 (Stats for Scientists) originally had 4 sections of 35 students each. There were about 90 students wait listed for these sections. Just this morning, 2 sections of 45 students each were added. Usually with a little time, things straighten out, sections are added and students schedules change. Its still early and classes are months away. Let the school know there is a problem and give them some time to adjust.</p>
<p>^^This is what I was saying. This same thing happens at other schools. The issue is that if they have too many sections to begin with, then the students might be too spread out, wasting resources. But then people complain if they eliminate sections, saying it messes up their schedule by creating conflicts and the like. So they cannot win, unless people are patient and realize they will accommodate demand in the vast majority of cases.</p>
<p>As I also said earlier, this has happened before and it worked out for nearly every student. There are exceptions, as there are at every school. At some schools it is famously terrible, with students often needing 5 years to graduate only because they cannot get the courses they need. I have never heard of this happening at Tulane.</p>