Open enrollment is an essential feature of the Education Department of the International Institute in St. Louis, a refugee sponsoring group offering a wide range of social, housing, and medical services; job counseling and placement; and English as a second language classes. The institute allows students to begin a language training program immediately when time may be a crucial factor in becoming self-sufficient. The necessary features of an open enrollment program are that it is accessible, has specific and achievable goals, provides needed community orientation, is sucess-oriented, and is organized. Funding agencies want accountability, and teachers want the support, time, and peace to work. The program gatekeeper, in this case the receptionist, is critical in facilitating a smooth and speedy enrollment. Pre-placement assessment should underline the student's abilities and show what the program can do for him or her. Recordkeeping must be meticulous and accurate and reflect the funding agency's needs. Teaching goals must be clear to staff and students and allow for variations in learning style. A planned system of progress testing is valuable for students, teachers, and administrators. Students will evaluate the program themselves, and demonstrate their conclusions by their presence or absence. Open enrollment need not necessarily breed chaos, but it does require careful and thorough management. (MSE)