Spring SCORE to open at 7:30 a.m.

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Students used to sluggishly and reluctantly getting up at 7 a.m. to register for classes may be able to spend an extra half hour in bed before rushing to snatch up spots in classes next semester.

In May, the USG received an anonymous request in its online suggestion box for the 7 a.m. SCORE time to be moved, USG president Josh Weinstein ’09 said. The online suggestion box was set up last semester as “a universal resource for answering students’ questions and concerns,” he explained.

Weinstein explained that he then approached Robert Bromfield, the University’s deputy registrar, who was receptive to a possible time change and suggested 7:30 a.m.

“The overriding concern is that the enrollment window does not conflict with students’ schedules,” Bromfield explained in an interview.

The change will be ready in time for spring course enrollment in November, Bromfield said, adding that if the change goes smoothly, the new time will stay.

From a technological perspective, the change is a simple one, OIT project manager Shachi Gawande said, adding that OIT has been working to prevent SCORE malfunctions during course selection.

“We are constantly updating the system,” she said, explaining that students often complain of technical difficulties at the 7 a.m. crunch time, which are particularly frustrating for recently awoken and anxious students.

“The sheer number of students logging on can overwhelm the system, but we do our utmost to stop this happening,” Gawande said.

She added that OIT is pleased with the recent changes to SCORE and hopes that the new layout and features have found a warm reception with students.

Though 30 minutes may not seem like much of a difference, many students who heard of the change are embracing it with open arms. “Seven o’clock is really too early for a college student to be up, so I fully support this change,” John Torrey ’10 said.

Jessica Berry ’09 noted that “no one can make smart class decisions if they’re groggy.”

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Bromfield noted that the aim of the change is “to take the edge off early-morning enrollment.” He added that the registrar’s office will send an e-mail out with details about this change in the near future.

Moving registration any later in the morning is not possible, however, because the early hours are the only ones that do not conflict with any morning classes.

“Half an hour isn’t going to change the world, but it’s an awesome change that we are really appreciative for,” Weinstein said.