A new report documents the prevalence of course “shutouts” that prevent students from registering for required classes, adding time and cost to degree completion. The study highlights how scheduling, capacity and advising gaps create bottlenecks that disproportionately affect students on tight timelines and those in high‑demand majors. Colleges facing enrollment volatility and constrained budgets say they must balance class offerings against faculty workloads and fiscal realities; administrators point to adjunct shortages, curricular sequencing and classroom capacity as core drivers. Academic leaders warned that persistent shutouts can depress retention and graduation rates and increase student financial aid burdens. Institutional responses recommended include improved early registration strategies, predictive enrollment modeling, expanded course modalities and clearer advising pathways to reduce repeat terms and lower the total cost of degree attainment.