A Note Concerning Add-Ons 
(Asking to be Enrolled in a Closed Class)

Requesting to be added into a closed class is a sticky situation.  Oftentimes, students are directed by the registrar to contact the overseeing department and then the department typically tells the student to email or call the instructor of the desired class.  This is the "chain of enrollment" command in respect to a closed class.  However, there is much more to the circumstance than the instructor merely issuing his or her signature.

Classes have holding capacities for a reason.  Much like any profession, teaching is a job which has a set amount of duties.  Administration, i.e. bosses, cannot expect the impossible and assigns only what an instructor can successfully accomplish in a reasonable amount of time, i.e. in the course of a semester.  This is why classes have caps:  If students were allowed to enroll "willy-nilly," teachers might well be faced with so many students that he or she would be unable to address the class's concerns nor would the person be able to return assignments within a reasonable amount of time (enough time to receive feedback and make corrections prior to the next assignment).  

It follows that, on each and every occasion in which a student requests to be added-on, that obliging instructors are voluntarily taking on more responsibility--without additional pay.  (Instructors are salaried and do not work off of student commission.)  This is the equivalent to an individual having a job, say at a department store, and--along one's job requirements--being given additional tasks but without being paid for one's time and effort.

Even though a single student might respond by saying, "But it's just one student--me," on average, instructors receive between 5-15 add-on requests per regular term.  For online courses during the summer, this number rises to approximately 20-35.  Thus, in all fairness to others (as well as those who are enrolled), adding additional students into a closed course is not a viable or professional option.

A plausible manner in which to enroll in a closed class is to watch financial drop dates (days in which payment is due).  Seats will typically open at these times.  Moreover, if no seats are available once the desired class begins, it is wise to get the necessary materials for that class and to begin attending though one isn't enrolled.  This is done in order to not fall behind should a seat open up.  (It is rare that this doesn't occur.)  Be sure to inform the instructor of your intentions on the first day and be mindful when late enrollment closes because, should a seat not open up, you will no longer be able to enroll for that class even if someone drops.

Lastly, it is the student's responsibility to monitor enrollment.  If a seat opens and the individual wanting to enroll is not aware of it and someone else takes the opening, the registrar, department, nor the instructor are responsible.