UGS debates algorithmic enrollment system proposal, passes resolution supporting undocumented students
The Undergraduate Senate (UGS) debated a newly-proposed enrollment system called Griffin at its first meeting of the new year.
Computer science professor Phil Levis first proposed Griffin in a UGS meeting last October. Levis returned for Wednesday’s meeting to answer additional questions from the UGS.
Griffin would allow students to identify their desired classes by a shared deadline, then assign students to classes and return the results within 48 hours. Levis cited the inequity of Stanford’s current enrollment system as the motivation behind the system.
“People should receive schedules fairly,” Levis said. “The idea of this proposal is to shift away from the requirement that the first person gets all the classes they want… it’s sort of a winner takes all [system]. It creates issues of fairness and equity.”
Levis gave an example of two students who both want the same classes. With the current system, one student might get all the classes they want, while the other gets none. Griffin would ensure that this would not happen, according to Levis, by more equitably distributing oversubscribed classes.
Levis added that athletes are disadvantaged by the first-come, first-serve method. Athletes often do not end up with classes that they want due to sports practice and travel conflicts, Levis said, but he also does not think it would be fair to put them first in Stanford’s current method of staggered enrollment.
Ethan Alfonso ’27 pushed back against Levis in favor of the current procedure, in which seniors enroll first.
“I wouldn’t mind a senior having a better schedule than me, a sophomore. I would much rather that seniors get the credits they need to graduate rather than having to fight to get financial aid for another quarter,” Alfonso said.
In response, Levis said that Griffin would focus on equitably assigning popular, oversubscribed classes, adding that Griffin would not cause seniors to lose their spot in required classes.
Alfonso found Griffin’s algorithm difficult to explain and wasn’t sure if a new enrollment system is what Stanford students want. Jadon Urogdy ’27 added that students should be able to understand how Griffin assigns their classes, asking if videos explaining how Griffin works would be presented to students.
Levis said that although there is no definite plan of explanation in place, he agrees that videos and a series of lectures would be helpful for students. He also suggested conducting a “dry run” to test Griffin first, without actually enrolling students.
“The idea that ‘winner takes all,’ who comes first in staggered enrollment, does not fit with the educational mission of Stanford,” Levis said. The UGS plans to respond to Levis in the near future about his proposal.
The UGS also passed a resolution by Lisbeth Hernandez ’25 to support undocumented students, DACA recipients and students from mixed-status families.
The resolution includes establishing an office of assistance, guaranteeing free legal representation and consultations and giving monthly stipends to those who cannot receive regular stipends due to legality issues. Aside from two abstentions, the senators voted unanimously in favor of the resolution.
Ivy Chen ’26 shared an update on Green Library hours. Last fall, the East Wing of Green Library was open for after-hours from midnight to 3 a.m. These hours will resume on Monday, Jan. 12.
Chen is also optimistic that Green will be able to be open 24/7 in the future, adding that the library is conducting interviews to recruit more staff.
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