In a move designed to improve student access and streamline course enrollment, the University of Utah began enabling course waitlists on June 9, 2025, for Fall 2025 courses.

This change—part of the university’s broader Navigate U framework and the outcomes of campus-wide Activate meetings—aims to ensure students can more effectively plan their academic paths while providing university leaders with valuable insight into course demand.

The new waitlist functionality will apply to most undergraduate courses, though some courses may still require instructor consent. Students attempting to register for a class that has reached capacity can now join a waitlist and be notified if a seat becomes available. If a seat becomes available, the student will be enrolled in the course and then notified via email that the enrollment has occurred.

This enhancement aligns with recommendations from the National Institute for Student Success and reflects the university’s ongoing commitment to improving retention and on-time graduation rates.

The Office of the Registrar has updated the university’s waitlisting website to include:

• Clarified instructions for students and faculty on using permission codes
• Updated FAQs to reflect the new waitlist process
• Removal of outdated content

This update marks a significant step forward in the University of Utah’s efforts to empower students, promote equitable access to academic opportunities and deliver a more student-centered registration experience.

Faculty and advisors are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the new procedures and to share any feedback with Ashley Glenn, interim director of Campus Advising Solutions, at aglenn@advising.utah.edu or offer input to Liz Leckie, chair of the Academic Advising Standards Council, at liz.leckie@utah.edu.

For detailed instructions, FAQs and resources, click here