Link to Boise State Home Page Link to Registrar Home Boise State University Directories Boise State University Index Boise State University Search Boise State University Campus Map Link to Registrar Home Boise State University Directories Boise State University Index Boise State University Search Boise State University Campus Map




   Join us on facebook
Campus Photo

Faculty Waitlisting Frequently Asked Questions

Student Waitlisting FAQs

What is a waitlist?
If a class is full, a student can request to be placed on a waitlist to enroll in the class if a seat becomes available. When a student is added to the waitlist, they are assigned the next available position number.

Back to Top
What is the purpose of a waitlist?

The waitlist tracks students need for individual classes and displays the need for additional course sections. Departments no longer need to manually track individual student requests for classes.

For students the waitlist eliminates the need to watch the schedule of classes for an opening in a class section. Requests to add a class are now processed in the order that they are received.

Back to Top

How can I view students' waitlisted for my class?
To view students' waitlisted for your class sign into my.BoiseState and select the class roster icon. Update the enrollment status from enrolled to waiting and click change.

What classes do not have waitlisting?
Combined section classes, graduate and undergraduate combined classes, special sessions 1 and 2, Jump Start classes, and separate lecture/lab co-requisites do no have waitlisting available.

Back to Top
How do students move up on the waitlist?
When a student requests to be placed on a waitlist they are given the next available waitlist position. As currently enrolled students drop the class, waitlisted students are moved up into the class. If the class capacity is increased waitlisted students are moved into the class.

Back to Top
Can I assign a permission number to override the waitlist?
Yes, Y permission numbers override the waitlist in addition to requisites for the course. The student has to drop from the waitlist and then register for the class using the permission number.

Back to Top
Can I assign a permission number to override the waitlist?
Yes, N permission numbers override requisites for a course without overriding the waitlist. The student uses the permission number to register for the class or if the class is full, it allows them to waitlist.

Back to Top
Can a student waitlist more than one section of the same class?
Yes, a student can waitlist multiple sections of the same course. Students are allowed to waitlist up to 12 credits per semester and are added to the first available open section.

Back to Top
Can a student waitlist a course he/she is already enrolled in?
Yes, a student can waitlist another section of a course, however, students cannot register for more than one section of the same course. If a student is registered for a course, the waitlist process will not add them into another section of the same course.

Back to Top
If a student is enrolled in a class from the waitlist will they continue to move up on the waitlist for a different section of the same course?
Yes, the student will continue to move up on the waitlist, however, the student will never be placed in the class from the waitlist. The system will not allow registration in multiple sections of the same course. If the student is registered in another section the waitlist process will skip them and move to the next available student on the list.

Back to Top
Does the waitlist guarantee a spot in the course?
No. There is no guarantee that a seat will open up in the course.

Back to Top
How do I know what position a student is on the waitlist?
The waitlist position number displays on your course roster.

Back to Top
How many credits can a student waitlist at one time?
Students may waitlist 12 credits per semester.

Back to Top
Why does a student have to waitlist a course that appears to have an open seat?
The waitlist process is scheduled to run twice a day. If a seat opens in a class the class will remain closed until after the waitlist process has completed. If there are no students on the waitlist, the class will reopen after the process has completed. If there are students on the waitlist, the next student on the list will be enrolled in the class and the class will remain closed.

Back to Top
When will waitlisting be turned off for the semester?
Waitlisting will be turned off on the last day a student can add a course without instructor permission by session. For the regular session this is the fifth day of classes. See the Academic Calendar Deadlines by Session for all other sessions.

Back to Top
When will waitlisting be available for graduate-level classes?
Waitlisting will be available for most graduate-level classes beginning with the Spring 2011 registration.

Back to Top
Do students automatically move from the waitlist into a class if the class capacity is increased?
Yes, students will automatically move into the open seats from the waitlist.

Back to Top
If my department opens a new section of a course that has long waitlists, will students on waitlist of other sections be notified?
The department is responsible for notifying students when new sections become available.

Back to Top
Where can I find email addresses for students on a waitlist?
Departments can access waitlisted student email addresses on the PeopleSoft Back Office class roster.

Back to Top
What happens to the waitlist if the course is canceled?
The students who are enrolled in the class as well as students on the waitlist are dropped. It is the department's responsibility to notify all students of class cancellations.

Back to Top
If a prerequisite is required to take my class and the student is currently enrolled in the prerequisite , can the student waitlist my class?
Yes, the system will allow a student to waitlist a class with a pre-req as long as the student is currently enrolled in the prerequisite . The Registrar's Office sends a Contingency Report to all departments that lists all students with failing grades in a prerequisite. Departments can request a student be administratively dropped if they fail to complete the prerequisite with a passing grade.

Back to Top
I gave a student on the waitlist a permission number, why won't it work?
The student must drop from the waitlist and then use the permission to add the class. Make sure that the student dropped from the waitlist. Also make certain you gave the student a Y permission number. N permission numbers do not override a closed class.

Back to Top
Why was the student in position number 1 not added into my class when a seat became available?

If a student is registered in another section of the same class the waitlist process will skip him/her and move on to the next available student.

If a student is enrolled in a class that occurs at the same time there is a time conflict and the waitlist process will not move him/her into the class.

Back to Top