Update from Stacey

I’m writing this on Wednesday evening, and the snow has started for real. I look forward to finding out snow totals in the morning.

In addition to tracking snow predictions, the past week has included many reminders of how connected ASR is to all kinds of work at the University. We provided data from the Offices of the Registrar and Classroom Management to inform reduced operations decision-making. I’ve been in meetings on varied topics ranging from integrations with bookstore systems to exploring staffing arrangements between Rochester and Twin Cities One Stop Student Services. 

Information we are providing to the Email for Life project is critical to understanding why a student’s relationship with the University continues even when they don’t have enrollment. We are coordinating with Human Resources on processes for legal name changes, and the list goes on. I’m grateful to be in a position to see all of these ways that ASR supports the entire University. Thank you as always for your hard work on behalf of our students and the University.

Delayed launch of new online transcript ordering system

Due to unforeseen technical difficulties, the launch of the new online official transcript ordering system (through Avow Systems, Inc.) and pricing structure has been delayed until February 8, 2012. The current system and pricing structure will be used until then.

Online self-certification for private loans

FA-IT has just implemented a new self-service web application that allows students to complete self-certification for University private loans online (i.e., TILA). The application populates the form for the student using registration and other data from PeopleSoft. When student submits TILA online, pertinent system data is updated, speeding up loan processing and disbursement. This task used to require in-person assistance from One Stop Student Services, routing through Imaging, and processing by Financial Aid Loan Unit staff. The project rollout marks a big win for student and staff alike -- saving the University time and money.

Improving tuition and fee management

Here's a project team with ♪our minds on our money and our money on our minds♫. ASR is working with the Office of Budget & Finance and key financial contacts throughout the University to improve the process of requesting and reviewing fees. The tuition and fee management system (TFMS) project aims to improve financial decision-making, automate some data entry, and provide better tuition and fee information to the University community (including parents and students). The team has completed data modeling and requirements gathering and is now consulting with users to sketch out the interface. The project is notable in that the ASR Web Team will be doing the development work on this enterprise system in partnership with the Office of Information Technology. The new TFMS system is planned for an October 2012 launch to coincide with the next fiscal year. For more information, visit the TFMS project site.

New online transcript ordering system

The new online system for ordering official transcripts will go live on February 1, 2012. The new system will expedite both ordering and processing and will offer an option for an electronic official transcript that can be delivered minutes after it is ordered. A new pricing structure for official transcripts will also take effect when this new system is launched. Read more on The Ledger.

New Office of Classroom Management home page

The Office of Classroom Management (OCM) launched its redesigned website home page on Monday, January 9. The content hasn't changed, but the look and navigation have been updated to better reflect users needs. Contact information has been added to a bar at the bottom of all pages, and OCM news is now pushed through a dynamic feed to the home page under "OCM news spotlight". Any bookmarks you might have to OCM web pages will still work fine and dandy.

News & Notes online

Starting this week, News & Notes content will appear not just in your inbox but also on the ASR website. The new News & Notes blog will feature stories from this newsletter, strategies and tips for successful communication and collaboration, and other features to support the work of ASR staff.

News on the ASR home page

The home page of the ASR website looks a bit different these days; its content is now generated from a new ASR news blog, The Ledger. This blog contains content from ASR publications like The Record and a bi-weekly digest of news related to post-baccalaurate education (The PBED Digest).