2008 Woodie Awards
All Hail: Blood boils as students register for classes
Issue date: 11/15/07 Section: Editorial
- Page 1 of 1
For the past three hours the uncooperative, cantankerous Northeastern registration process has been waging an all out war on me. It's winning.
War began at 5 p.m. I was ready for battle. I had ammunition: the schedule I wanted, a backup, a backup for the backup. I'd planned ahead because I knew what this jerk service was capable of.
4:50 - I'm in front of the computer, logged into myNEU.
4:52 - My finger is on the mouse, ready to click. Nervous, palms moist, anticipating…
4:55 - I realize I jumped the gun. Now I'm wondering what I'm going to do for the next five minutes …
5:00 - CLICK! And my computer is processing …
5:30 - … processing.
5:38 - YES! I enter the course registration site and enter the key number of my first class.
For 10 minutes I wait for the system to "process" (process, in this case, is a euphemism used by the registration establishment for "stick it in your ear"). Then my computer informs me the class is full.
At this point I curse loudly but quickly regain composure, as I realize I've only been doing this for a half hour. I need stamina now more than ever.
I try a new course key, and wait for about 15 more minutes. "This course is full." I repeat the process, with another key. Twenty minutes later: "The system could not process your request, please log out and try again."
My blood, literally, comes to a boil as I re-log in. The online system again grants me entry into its domain. Quickly, I type my key number. Less quickly, it processes my request.
Error message. I have a small heart attack. Then I call its office and wait on the line. A representative for the registrar department answers, peevishly, "Registrahh." I give him my information and he tells me, "You got a financial block on your account." I say "Oh [expletive]" and, shamefully, hang up.
Turns out I haven't paid the $1,000 for my meal plan. Oh silly me! I pay it online in about two minutes. It's funny, the NUPay link always processes your request.
I decide I'm going to take another look at my financial block. It says "Your summer term registration has been blocked…"
Light bulbs go off in my head (or was I having a stroke?) as I realize that the university has just had its way with me. The block had nothing to do with the Spring semester registration. It just tricked me into paying the bill right this minute.
I call the registrar's office again. While I wait, I think about what a frustrating name "registrar" is. The voice at the other end of the line informs me the system is down.
Gee, thanks a bunch. Maybe we'll see how many of my required classes aren't available tomorrow. Maybe we'll see how many nonsense electives I'm going to have to take.
But it is a relief that my meal plan is paid for. Phew. I'll sleep easy tonight.
And if this story sounds familiar, then maybe I'll see you next semester in "Gender Roles in Pre-revolutionary Ukraninan Folk Music" or some other elective that has nothing to do with our majors. I can't wait.
- Andy Cook is a sophomore business administration major.
War began at 5 p.m. I was ready for battle. I had ammunition: the schedule I wanted, a backup, a backup for the backup. I'd planned ahead because I knew what this jerk service was capable of.
4:50 - I'm in front of the computer, logged into myNEU.
4:52 - My finger is on the mouse, ready to click. Nervous, palms moist, anticipating…
4:55 - I realize I jumped the gun. Now I'm wondering what I'm going to do for the next five minutes …
5:00 - CLICK! And my computer is processing …
5:30 - … processing.
5:38 - YES! I enter the course registration site and enter the key number of my first class.
For 10 minutes I wait for the system to "process" (process, in this case, is a euphemism used by the registration establishment for "stick it in your ear"). Then my computer informs me the class is full.
At this point I curse loudly but quickly regain composure, as I realize I've only been doing this for a half hour. I need stamina now more than ever.
I try a new course key, and wait for about 15 more minutes. "This course is full." I repeat the process, with another key. Twenty minutes later: "The system could not process your request, please log out and try again."
My blood, literally, comes to a boil as I re-log in. The online system again grants me entry into its domain. Quickly, I type my key number. Less quickly, it processes my request.
Error message. I have a small heart attack. Then I call its office and wait on the line. A representative for the registrar department answers, peevishly, "Registrahh." I give him my information and he tells me, "You got a financial block on your account." I say "Oh [expletive]" and, shamefully, hang up.
Turns out I haven't paid the $1,000 for my meal plan. Oh silly me! I pay it online in about two minutes. It's funny, the NUPay link always processes your request.
I decide I'm going to take another look at my financial block. It says "Your summer term registration has been blocked…"
Light bulbs go off in my head (or was I having a stroke?) as I realize that the university has just had its way with me. The block had nothing to do with the Spring semester registration. It just tricked me into paying the bill right this minute.
I call the registrar's office again. While I wait, I think about what a frustrating name "registrar" is. The voice at the other end of the line informs me the system is down.
Gee, thanks a bunch. Maybe we'll see how many of my required classes aren't available tomorrow. Maybe we'll see how many nonsense electives I'm going to have to take.
But it is a relief that my meal plan is paid for. Phew. I'll sleep easy tonight.
And if this story sounds familiar, then maybe I'll see you next semester in "Gender Roles in Pre-revolutionary Ukraninan Folk Music" or some other elective that has nothing to do with our majors. I can't wait.
- Andy Cook is a sophomore business administration major.
Viewing Comments 1 - 7 of 7
CK
posted 11/15/07 @ 8:25 AM EST
Ohhhh, Sophomores. I'm a senior, and this year, registration seemed like a BREEZE to me, and not just because I had an earlier registration date than you :) My freshman year, I didn't get to fully register until the day AFTER my registration time, because the computers were so crazy and the registration system so messed up. (Continued…)
Christine
posted 11/15/07 @ 8:58 AM EST
Yup, I too will not have to register for classes until after co-op when I'll be a sweet, sweet senior and it will come easy. Until then, who's in for Arts of the African Diaspora?
Sean
posted 11/15/07 @ 11:27 AM EST
You, and everyone else pursuing a meaningless degree.
Brian
posted 11/15/07 @ 11:57 AM EST
I'll let you in on a little secret. There is a PHONE registration system too. Call that instead!
Sky
posted 11/15/07 @ 12:34 PM EST
My roommate and I were ceaselessly trying the both phone system and the web system on Thursday night. Both were down. We couldn't even get to the page/voice where you can enter a key number until Friday morning. (Continued…)
Sherman McDoover
posted 11/16/07 @ 12:18 AM EST
Yea man course registration totally blows. You hit the nail on the proverbial head. What tomfoolery do these Huskies speak of? The phone system is daft, and the registrar reminds me of any recent publication by Pinchot - tired, trite, and broken. (Continued…)
Andrew
posted 11/16/07 @ 12:20 AM EST
Sweet article man. Totally see where you're coming from. From one Andrew to another.
LOVE YOUUUUU
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