Students participated in a simulation of the new online room selection procedure that will be implemented this April. The idea behind the trial was to help student understand the new system and provide feedback for the way it works.

“We think that an online-based process will be helpful both to us and the students,” Residence Hall Director Todor Kehayov said. “Of course, we have to try it first and see if it really works.” He added that the system will be more convenient, as there will no longer be waiting lines for rooms.

The idea for the online-based room selection procedure came from junior Ergys Ristani,  RA in Scaptopara 2 Residence Hall. He is working on the system together with junior Genti Tola. “Every year, I’ve been trying to do something different for the [AUBG] community and at the same time learn new things,” Ristani said. He presented the idea to Kehayov in the 2010 Fall semester.

After doing some research during the Christmas break, the two students started work. Ristani took care of the logical part, while Tola was responsible for the design. “The hard part is that we have so many exceptions [at AUBG],” Ristani said.  “We have exchange students, students on suspension, students from Blagoevgrad.” However, he said that selecting rooms now can be done in "one click," and there will no longer be waiting in lines at the Residence Hall Office. The online procedure will be carried out in just five days as opposed to the current one, which sometimes takes weeks, Ristani added.

“I think [the new system] is very convenient and saves time,” senior Jamal Akbarov said. He added, however, that Residence Life should have offered an incentive for students to participate in the trial.

Sophomore Stilian Zhelev said that the concept is good as information about available rooms will be easily accessible. “Now, you have to go to the [Residence Life] office five times a week to get that [information],” he added.

The actual room selection process will take place over the first half of April.