Student
Information System (SIS), sometimes simply known as
‘PeopleSoft,’ is coming online. Successful implementation
will continue to require the assistance and cooperation
of student service units and academic units on all campuses.
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Perhaps you—or a colleague you know—will be using the new Student Information System (SIS) at Indiana University. Sometimes simply known as “PeopleSoft” (although it is much more than PeopleSoft software), SIS is a university-wide computing system for student administration at IU. Thousands of faculty and staff at IU—and every student at every campus—will be affected by this new system and the changes in the way we do business.
The new software and streamlined processes of SIS do more than just replace the legacy systems at IU. They will continue to provide up-to-date, accurate information; multiple ways to access it; and support for the mission-critical functions of teaching, learning and advising.
SIS provides quality, seamless services for all types of students. It addresses all administrative functions for student services: recruitment, admissions, student records, schedule of classes, registration, grades, transcripts, advising, financial aid and student financials (bursar). SIS will continue to enable students to proactively track information themselves and update certain contact information.
Our old student systems that have sustained student administration at IU for well over 20 years are long overdue for replacement. While the old systems have served us well, they are no longer capable of handling the volume and complexities of the applications required to meet the demands of today and the future.
What will this mean for the thousands of us who depend on these processes?
As with any new software product or system, adjustments come at many levels. From learning how the new software works, to understanding new terminology, to functioning with new business processes, all of us will be affected in some way by this new system.
Over the next year or more, the IU community will work together to put all the remaining pieces of this software system in place and begin to use it. Putting it in place is a large, complex undertaking. Implementation phases must coincide with the activities of the academic calendar through the coming year; the various components of the new system—registration, financial aid, student financials, etc.—will be phased in through December 2004.
The sequential nature of implementation will require that each component implementation meet deadlines so that subsequent components can be constructed. Successful implementation also will continue to require the assistance and cooperation of student service units and academic units on all campuses.
There may be a few bumps in the road along the way. There will definitely be a learning curve. We understand the anxiety this can create. That’s why training will be so important. Even though the new system is Web-based, it still means those who use it must learn new ways of doing things.
The Student Enrollment Services (SES) organization is committed to helping faculty, staff and students on every campus be successful in the new system. SES, with the help of various campus departments, will provide support services for students, faculty and academic units as they begin to use the new system. Staff in SES will be working closely with University Information Technology Services (UITS) staff and staff on the campuses that provide direct interactions with students, faculty and academic unit staff.
The two service organizations, SES and UITS, are committed to making this a successful transition for everyone. Continuous training activity will occur through October 2004. Formal training and assistance will be available throughout the transition.
SES and UITS also have created a Web site for general information about the project. We invite you to visit often to follow the progress of this important project over the next year. Go to the Student Information Systems Web site:
http://sisinfo.iu.edu/
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