ESTHER waitlist needs tweaks
Among many of its recent upgrades, the Office of the Registrar has added a waitlist feature to ESTHER's course registration (see story, pg. 1). While the waitlist restored some order to the special-registration frenzy that inevitably follows normal ESTHER registration, it was not without problems. Most notably, seniors needing a class to graduate were initially unable to special-register for a class with priority because pofessors were prohibited from signing any forms whatsoever.
Fortunately in a follow-up email on its procedures, the Registrar's Office has added a procedure by which graduating seniors who need a specific class to graduate may petition to skip the waitlist. Unfortunately, the waitlist is still impartial about the students' majors as they attempt to enroll in the class. Currently, a student taking a course as a totally free elective may gain admittance before a student who needs the course to stay on track for his or her major. Ideally, the waitlist will gain the ability to differentiate and prioritize students on the waitlist by factors such as seniority and major instead of purely in a first-come, first-served manner. The waitlist is a great idea, but it needs oversight and discretion. A student's academic path should not be decided purely by the arbitrary seconds which separate positions on the waitlist.
More from The Rice Thresher
Students of conscience should boycott Local Foods
Local Foods has served, for many years, as a casual Houston restaurant option for Houston residents, including Rice students. Folks on campus will notice that this option has become more proximate, as a Local Foods location claims space on campus in the Brochstein Pavilion.
Insurance options for Ph.D. students are overpriced and insufficient
Doctoral students at Rice are given insufficient health insurance options especially compared to institutions with graduate student unions. Aetna’s graduate student health insurance plan leaves students with significant costs compared to the minimum annual stipend. Additionally, the available Aetna plan offers insufficient benefits when compared both to medical insurance plans at peer institutions and to the non-subsidized Wellfleet plan – Rice’s alternative option for international students.
Keep administrative hands off public parties
Emergency Management is hoping to implement a new system that has students swipe their IDs when entering public parties to cross-check their name with a pre-registered list. This idea is being touted as an effort to reduce check-in time and lines at publics. The thing is – we are tired. After bans on events, APAC and dramatic changes in party requirements, we want hands off the public party.
Please note All comments are eligible for publication by The Rice Thresher.