2008 Woodie Awards
Bug in online registration confounds students
Bad code in registration program means students cannot sign up online for classes with prerequisites
By: Jonathan Kleinow
Issue date: 11/10/05 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
When online registration for spring 2006 opened to seniors Nov. 7, some students who tried to sign up for classes requiring prerequisites found themselves unable to do so.
Mary Petersen, director of administrative information systems, said officials in the information technology department learned of the problem the morning of Nov. 7. Petersen said after some reprogramming was done to the registration computer system, she thought the problem had been fixed at about noon that day.
But Registrar Don Morris said as of the afternoon of Nov. 8, the problem had in fact not been fixed. Morris said the technology officials were aware of potential problems after they installed an upgrade to the registration database Sept. 21, but he thought the problem had been resolved.
Morris said despite the computer problems, registration was flowing smoothly.
"I've been sort of shocked," Morris said. "I expected it to be a lot worse than we've had it."
Advisers, however, said they were flustered by the problems. Sally Howald, a professor in the communications and journalism department, said the influx of students reporting problems registering was stressful for faculty members.
"Registration is tough enough as it is," Howald said. "It's just double the work and the problems. We're just tearing our hair out."
Howald said that in addition to students who could not register for classes, she had to assist students who registered for classes they did not need and then had to drop.
Michael Hulsizer, a professor in the behavioral and social sciences department, said four or five of his advisees came to him when they had problems registering. Hulsizer said he was able to register students for their classes using his computer.
"I don't know why there has to be problems," Hulsizer said. "It seems to me there needs to be more of a concerted effort to make sure on a big day like registration that you don't have these sort of snafus."
Hulsizer said he did not think the situation was a matter of incompetence on the part of technology officials.
"I don't think everyone in (information technology) is incompetent or anything like that," Hulsizer said. "It may be a bigger issue, more of an issue that they don't have the funding for it."
Morris thanked students and advisers for being understanding during the situation.
"It was unexpected and we're trying to make it run as smoothly as possible," Morris said.
If the bug is not fixed by the time registration opens to graduate students Nov. 16, more problems could arise.
"I'm keeping my fingers crossed," Morris said.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Programmers updated some of the code that runs the online registration system Sept. 21. They were aware of a bug which prevents students from registering from all classes requiring prerequisites, even if students have taken or are taking the necessary classes, but they thought they had fixed the problem.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
If you have problems registering online, talk to your adviser or stop by the registrar's office on the first floor of Loretto Hall.
Most freshmen should not encounter problems since few of their classes will require prerequisites, but graduate student registration, which opens Nov. 16, could have problems if the bug is not fixed.
Mary Petersen, director of administrative information systems, said officials in the information technology department learned of the problem the morning of Nov. 7. Petersen said after some reprogramming was done to the registration computer system, she thought the problem had been fixed at about noon that day.
But Registrar Don Morris said as of the afternoon of Nov. 8, the problem had in fact not been fixed. Morris said the technology officials were aware of potential problems after they installed an upgrade to the registration database Sept. 21, but he thought the problem had been resolved.
Morris said despite the computer problems, registration was flowing smoothly.
"I've been sort of shocked," Morris said. "I expected it to be a lot worse than we've had it."
Advisers, however, said they were flustered by the problems. Sally Howald, a professor in the communications and journalism department, said the influx of students reporting problems registering was stressful for faculty members.
"Registration is tough enough as it is," Howald said. "It's just double the work and the problems. We're just tearing our hair out."
Howald said that in addition to students who could not register for classes, she had to assist students who registered for classes they did not need and then had to drop.
Michael Hulsizer, a professor in the behavioral and social sciences department, said four or five of his advisees came to him when they had problems registering. Hulsizer said he was able to register students for their classes using his computer.
"I don't know why there has to be problems," Hulsizer said. "It seems to me there needs to be more of a concerted effort to make sure on a big day like registration that you don't have these sort of snafus."
Hulsizer said he did not think the situation was a matter of incompetence on the part of technology officials.
"I don't think everyone in (information technology) is incompetent or anything like that," Hulsizer said. "It may be a bigger issue, more of an issue that they don't have the funding for it."
Morris thanked students and advisers for being understanding during the situation.
"It was unexpected and we're trying to make it run as smoothly as possible," Morris said.
If the bug is not fixed by the time registration opens to graduate students Nov. 16, more problems could arise.
"I'm keeping my fingers crossed," Morris said.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Programmers updated some of the code that runs the online registration system Sept. 21. They were aware of a bug which prevents students from registering from all classes requiring prerequisites, even if students have taken or are taking the necessary classes, but they thought they had fixed the problem.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
If you have problems registering online, talk to your adviser or stop by the registrar's office on the first floor of Loretto Hall.
Most freshmen should not encounter problems since few of their classes will require prerequisites, but graduate student registration, which opens Nov. 16, could have problems if the bug is not fixed.