Washburn course listings are no longer printed on paper, and many students on campus find themselves in a love/hate relationship with the new, online-only approach to enrollment.

Some seniors who have already gone through the enrollment process are voicing their opinions. Senior Billie-Jean Bergmann said she appreciates the cost-efficiency of putting the course listing online, but she misses the printed books.

“Having the booklet in front of me is more convenient,” said Bergmann.

Bergmann said the “green” aspect of the online course listing is apparent, and she said she uses the university’s online services for more than enrollment. For instance, she is enrolled in an online course. But she finds the physical enrollment books more convenient.

“[The online course] helps distribute the weight [of taking classes],” said Bergmann. “It was difficult for me to find courses that I needed for my general education requirements [in the online catalog],”

Bergmann, who is also the executive director for the Campus Activities Board, has a busy schedule, and this was another reason she wanted the printed booklet.

However, Dana Sanchez, senior, enrolled online and thought it was easier for the most part.

“This is the first semester [it] seemed that everything was clear-cut and to the point,” said Sanchez. “It also helped that I knew what I needed to enroll in.”

She said that although she wasn’t used to online enrollment, she thought it worked out for the best. Like Bergmann, she said she understood how cost efficiency is important, and she knew the updated enrollment process would enable this.

Unfortunately, questions have arisen regarding the connection between the new system of online enrollment and the drop in student enrollment, the average number of hours that students are taking, and the link between students who take online courses as opposed to class lectures.

“Whether it’s a disadvantage or not, I don’t think so,” said Maria Raicheva-Stover, mass media professor.

She said students and professors must take the initiative and visit the my.washburn site to download the .pdf file or view the file on-screen.

Stover said she is in favor of the cost-saving methods the university is taking.

Several possible benefits of the new system include no longer having to keep track of physical paper copies around the office and no longer worrying about spilling coffee on them. For some people, this already makes the online system seem like a positive alternative.

Students can find the online course listing under the ‘students’ tab of their my.washburn account. The link for registering, adding or dropping courses can be found directly below the course list link.