Classrooms are packed to the max this semester, and NIU officials are looking for ways to ease the congestion in coming years.

Admissions Director Robert Burk said they are setting up a series of waiting lists for applicants, trying to keep the student population at the same level and not taking more applicants than they can handle to curb the growth.

Even with steps being taken to limit future enrollment, William Tallon, associate dean of business, said he feels that in the next couple of years the College of Business might be in for some problems.

“The faculty are understanding and aware of the number of business majors coming to Northern,” Tallon said. “I am sure they are all concerned about the problems that will result if such increases continue.”

Although Barsema Hall is home to one of the largest classrooms on campus – it can handle 381 students.

Tallon said classroom capacity is a growing concern. However, he said having faculty to teach the students is more of a concern because there is a limit on the number of professors they can hire.

Christine Sorensen, dean of the College of Education, said that a cap put on the amount of students that can become education majors helps keep classes at capacity without having to open up more class sections.

“With the budget crisis stabilized and with no cuts this year, we should be able to accommodate growth,” Sorensen said.

The majority of classrooms around campus can hold 30 to 35 students, she said.

Crystal Simpelo, a junior graphic design major, said she finds it hard to concentrate in some of her classes because of crowding.

“I think my sociology and math 101 classes in the Cole building are too full,” Simpelo said.

However, Nick Quackenbush, a junior time arts major, disagrees with those who think too many students are in classes.

“I’d say no, classes are not too full because students are still able to get a hold of the professor and most people don’t take advantage of that,” Quackenbush said.

Frederick Kitterle, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, said the college has increased course offerings in six departments with support from the Provost’s office to meet demand. Course offerings have increased for communication, English, history, psychology, sociology and political science, he said.

“We still have an unmet demand of over 1,600 students across these six departments,” Kitterle said. “NIU has been creative in finding ways to respond to increasing student demand. However, we now find ourselves stretched beyond the limit.”