Since then, tales of inoperable computer servers and general registration frustration have been flowing faster than beer on opening day at Fenway Park.

The college’s push toward everything electronic isn’t pervading our academic lives only once a semester.,In 1999, Emerson College began registering students for classes online.

Since then, tales of inoperable computer servers and general registration frustration have been flowing faster than beer on opening day at Fenway Park.

The college’s push toward everything electronic isn’t pervading our academic lives only once a semester.

As if the pain of registering for classes online twice a year wasn’t enough, in the past few years Emerson’s administration has been coordinating an e-push for a number of other things as well.

The attempt at streamlining has expanded to include submitting class assignments and finding readings (via WebCT) in addition to getting a hold of graduation tickets and paying tuition bills (via Interactive Services).

While it is undeniably more convenient to take care of all things Emerson online, students have to wonder how much time school officials are willing to take to answer questions when increasingly, the answer seems to simply be: “check the Web site.”

The other issue revolves around the spotty operability of the systems put in place to make everyone’s life easier. When Emerson’s servers go down, there’s no stopping the grumble of frustrated complaints from students fed up with yet another unnecessary delay in getting business done.

It makes us here at The Beacon wonder why a college, looking to make things easier, would continue to let the same problems happen over and over again.

If Emerson is truly interested in making multiple weekly trips to the all-encompassing Student Services Center a thing of the past, those in charge of maintaining these systems should make sure they work first.