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It's not you, it's the system…
Cutting the Red Tape Series
By: Editorial Board
Issue date: 7/13/07 Section: Ed-Op
Originally published: 7/12/07 at 11:36 PM EST
Last update: 7/12/07 at 11:35 PM EST
Originally published: 7/12/07 at 11:36 PM EST
Last update: 7/12/07 at 11:35 PM EST
Small tasks, such as changing concentrations or taking a class on co-op, along with larger endeavors, like changing a major, all require an excess amount of administrative overhead.
Students need to get papers signed, speak with a plethora of advisors and secretaries (who really don't care about your request), make copies of multiple forms that all list the same information, wait in at least a few lines, get sent away to come back later at least once (a.k.a. SCDC 'Drop-in Hours'), and travel at least 10 blocks between various administrative buildings.
For example, if you need to change your major, something most students do at least once, you need to go to five places just to get the appropriate signatures. And if you are an international student it takes six. There must be a simpler way to get things done at a University.
So here is a suggestion for your Student's First initiative, President Papadakis: Let's go paperless. We're not talking about the fake paperless online billing that's currently being used; we're picturing true paperless transactions.
For example, if a student wants to take a class on co-op, they should be able to fill out a form online. Upon submission, the student's advisor would get an e-mail stating, "Joey Student has submitted a request to take class ABC 101 on co-op during the Fall 2007 term."
The advisor reviews the request, perhaps calling the student if needed, and then approves the request. If approvals from multiple people are absolutely needed, the form submission system could pass on the request to the next person once the first person in the chain approves the request.
Students who want to change majors, drop classes, make reservations with IMS, or reserve space at the University for a student gathering could use this system. We're sure there are tons of applications, all of which would save the lives of a few trees each year.
Sure, the system would require different departments at Drexel to work together with each other (imagine that!) so that we could have one universal system. We can't think of a better method for streamlining processes, reducing red tape and taking a step on the road to establishing ourselves as one of the most technically advanced Universities in the nation.
The University should spend some money on a system such as the one we mentioned, rather than wasting it on glitzy water fountains that are shut down during the hottest days of the year.
Students need to get papers signed, speak with a plethora of advisors and secretaries (who really don't care about your request), make copies of multiple forms that all list the same information, wait in at least a few lines, get sent away to come back later at least once (a.k.a. SCDC 'Drop-in Hours'), and travel at least 10 blocks between various administrative buildings.
For example, if you need to change your major, something most students do at least once, you need to go to five places just to get the appropriate signatures. And if you are an international student it takes six. There must be a simpler way to get things done at a University.
So here is a suggestion for your Student's First initiative, President Papadakis: Let's go paperless. We're not talking about the fake paperless online billing that's currently being used; we're picturing true paperless transactions.
For example, if a student wants to take a class on co-op, they should be able to fill out a form online. Upon submission, the student's advisor would get an e-mail stating, "Joey Student has submitted a request to take class ABC 101 on co-op during the Fall 2007 term."
The advisor reviews the request, perhaps calling the student if needed, and then approves the request. If approvals from multiple people are absolutely needed, the form submission system could pass on the request to the next person once the first person in the chain approves the request.
Students who want to change majors, drop classes, make reservations with IMS, or reserve space at the University for a student gathering could use this system. We're sure there are tons of applications, all of which would save the lives of a few trees each year.
Sure, the system would require different departments at Drexel to work together with each other (imagine that!) so that we could have one universal system. We can't think of a better method for streamlining processes, reducing red tape and taking a step on the road to establishing ourselves as one of the most technically advanced Universities in the nation.
The University should spend some money on a system such as the one we mentioned, rather than wasting it on glitzy water fountains that are shut down during the hottest days of the year.
Creditplayer
posted 7/26/07 @ 6:23 AM EST
The first thing that I liked about the article is the idea of protecting trees by going to paperless transactions. And I share the author's statement of boring and disgusting paper procedures. (Continued…)