At  the start of every semester I get many emails and voicemails from students wanting to add my class.   Most of you who write  have very good reasons for wanting to add and I wish I could add you all.  The reality  is that I cannot  exceed  class size limits.  Class sizes are constrained by resource limitations and by the  need to comply with guidelines set by accreditation authorities (organizations that oversee and certify our degree program).

Yes I do  take a waiting list for adds, in anticipation that one or two students might dropping out.   As the demand  always exceeds the availability of seats, I follow a strict protocol for adding students.   If you are trying to add my class, then I would strongly recommend that you read the following guidelines and follow the protocol.    The only way to get your name in the waiting list is by following the protocol described below.   In fairness to all, I do not enter student names into the waiting list from email, phone calls, or in my office

If you are trying to add, then please come to the first meeting of the class and fill in a "Request to add  form"  to get placed in the waiting list.   Please note that this form is for getting placed in the waiting list only, it does not guarantee an add.

 I  DO NOT add on a FCFS basis, therefore there is no rush to fill the form ahead of time.   However, I will accept the form only in the first meeting of the class, not at any other place or time. 

I will select students to add is based on REAL need.   The following are some criteria that I generally  use

1. Prerequisites:  To add you must have all needed prerequisites to enroll in the class (bring unofficial transcript from CSUN portal).
2. Availability:  If the class is full, then it may take several weeks before I know who I can add, if anybody.   This is because I can only add when someone else has dropped the class.
3. Participation:  While you are in the waiting list please attend all classes, complete the assignments and take the quizzes.  I will consider your performance in these assignments and quizzes in making the add decision (if I can do so).
4. Class enrollment:  You do not have any other classes this semester.  You will need to answer why you could not enroll using the normal procedure.
5. Graduation  date:  You are graduating this semester (I mean this semester) and my class is already in your program of study and  there is some very good and justifiable reason why you cannot substitute my class for another.
6. Academic record:  Your good academic record (major subjects) is a definite plus.
7. Major:  Your major, comp sci majors will get priority.  I will need to see proof that you are a comp sci major.
8. Matriculation:  The university rules requires that I give priority to qualified regular students before adding any extension (open university) student.

Finally, I should add that I do not permit students to barter,  donate (sell as a commodity?)  their seats.  If you are enrolled in my class, then the seat is for you and you alone; it is not transferable to someone else.    If you drop my class, then the seat returns to a general pool, to be allocated as described above.