The registration period at Elon is one that can be stressful, time-consuming and difficult, but there is a new idea that may just make this often dreaded time a much simpler one.
According to a recent article in USA Today, many colleges are adding midnight classes to their schedules to make room for more students to get the classes they want.
Beginning at Bunker Hill community college in Boston, this idea was brought about with the hopes of offering students more variety in their class schedules.
Mark Albertson, registrar and assistant to the provost at Elon University, said it has been several years since midnight classes have been considered. At that time, the university did not think seriously about the concept, he said, but now may be a better time.
"From a registrar's standpoint, I like it because we are having a backup on classroom demand," he said. "But there must be an interest shown in the student body."
Sophomore Nick Unkovic said he would probably not take the midnight classes if they were offered, but he thinks they could be helpful to other students.
"People that take late classes offer more spots for people to take classes during the day, and that could be beneficial to Elon and scheduling," he said.
Jane Wellford, associate professor of performing arts, said she believes these additional classes would be beneficial to students by adding flexibility to their schedules, since many times students cannot get into all of the classes they wish because the schedule is already filled.
Another consideration to make with this new schedule would be getting enough faculty and staff to be interested and willing to teach so late in the night. But Albertson did not seem to be concerned with this crucial aspect of the schedule.
"I can see a few professors right off hand wanting to do it," he said.
But students and faculty must be interested in the idea, too, he said.
"It would not be good to start (teaching) at 8 a.m. and continue until midnight," Wellford said.
She said if she could start in the afternoon and continue through the night, she would do it.
Andi Metts, assistant professor of mathematics, on the other hand, said she does not know how she could teach classes so late.
"I would not be able to teach that late because of my kids," she said. "I teach while they're in school and many other professors may have that same problem."
According to Albertson, although it is important for professors to input their opinion, it is ultimately up to the students and whether they are willing to take the classes.
Sophomore Beth Adolph said that she would enjoy the option of late classes because they suit her schedule better.
"I usually stay up later during the night anyway, so taking late classes wouldn't be a problem," she said. "That could also open up my spot for others during the regular class time."
Senior Dylan Story disagreed with Adolph in taking the classes, but agreed they would better open up the schedules of many students.
"I would personally not take the classes because I would fall asleep," he said. "But I feel like it could open up Elon classes to a different demographic than Elon students are used to."
Story said that although he would probably not take the midnight classes, he thinks people with special circumstances would be more keen on the idea.
Albertson agreed with Story and said that one of these special circumstances may be when seniors have not completed their required upper-level courses and cannot graduate on time.
Albertson said he thinks these special circumstances may occur often, and he said the first courses implemented would probably be upper-level common courses like GST courses.
Provost Steven House said he was not at Elon when the university first considered midnight classes, but he does not think they are currently needed. Many of the schools that offer them are larger institutions that cater to students with children, he said, and Elon's demographic is much different.
There are many classrooms available early in the morning and later in the evening, House said, and so more classes would be added at those times if necessary rather than at midnight.
"We have said, 'Would you add a Saturday class?'" he said. "I don't think so. I think it's important for faculty and students to have time to get away from the weekly routine and try something different. So we would be able to add more evening classes or more 8 o'clock classes before we would ever go to midnight classes."
Albertson, on the other hand, said he believes later classes could be beneficial.
"I don't know anybody else doing something like that," he said. "It could be really interesting."
Kassondra Cloos contributed reporting.