Upgrade to enterprise systems

Between now and December 2014, the University of Minnesota is upgrading its PeopleSoft enterprise systems and examining related business processes to improve user experience and operational efficiency and effectiveness. Included in this upgrade are the enterprise-level financial, human resources, and student service systems. This project is essential to maintain vendor support and regulatory compliance for the system, to perform mission-critical activities and day-to-day business functions more effectively, and position the University to leverage new and emerging technologies.

Current efforts are centered on informing stakeholders about the upgrade and assigning appropriate staff to work on the project. University project staff will be working jointly with an implementation partner (final negotiations are underway with Cedar Crestone). This combination enables the University to leverage the extensive PeopleSoft implementation experience of the partner with internal knowledge and expertise.

Project leadership is committed to ongoing communication throughout the process. This will range from targeted communications to specific stakeholder groups to periodic broadcast messages to the entire University community. In addition to new channels of communication currently in development, updates about the project will be included regularly in existing channels such as the Registrar's Advisory Committee, The Record newsletter, and this blog. Feedback and questions about the project are welcomed and may be sent to esup@umn.edu.

Location and hours of Graduate Student Services and Progress

The Graduate Student Services and Progress (GSSP) office formerly located in 316 Johnston Hall is now located in 160 Williamson (East Bank). Their hours are 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday- Friday; please note that the hours of operation have changed to remain open over the noon hour, and close at 4 p.m. rather than 4:30 p.m.

New process for submitting CC, DGS, PLC updates

A new online form updating changes to Plan Level Coordinator (PLCs), College Coordinator (CC), and Director of Graduate Study (DGS) positions is currently being created and should be available soon. Along with this form, a list of who is currently serving in these roles will also be provided. The location of these forms will be announced once they are released.

Committee workflow user guide

A committee workflow user guide has been created to assist all students, faculty, and staff in better understanding the committee update and request form and how it should be completed. The user guide shows a student view of the committee workflow, highlighting specific areas that may require more attention or instruction from the college or graduate program. To view a PDF of the user guide, click here.

To submit feedback on the workflow user guide, contact Heather McLaughlin.

FERPA Q&A: Online discussion groups

Question: Can information displayed in online discussion groups be suppressed?

Answer: If students are part of a course that has an online discussion component or uses Google Groups, members can see each other's x.500 information. Some faculty and staff have asked whether displaying this for students who have chosen to suppress this information is a violation of FERPA. It isn't. The 2009 FERPA regulations state that students do not have a right to remain anonymous is the classroom, including online sections of courses or equivalent course components for in-person classes. Students in the class, and the faculty member, must not share information about other students in the class outside the class environment.

Classroom instructions redesigned

The Office of Classroom Management (OCM) has redesigned their classroom instructions. On Monday, August 20, the previous PDF versions will be replaced with printable web pages. Each page showcases the classroom equipment and features available for each building with OCM-managed classrooms. The instructions for each building provide a list of equipment and additional features, a list of rooms that include the equipment/features, and an image of the instructor station in each classroom.

The process for finding instructions for your classroom(s) remains much the same. Simply search by room and the system directs you to a web page for the building you requested. You may also print the individual instructions for each equipment/feature you wish to know more about.

Orientation is available upon request for those who want to learn more about the new instructions. For any questions, contact OCM Classroom Support or 612-625-1086.

Orientation Quick Start Guide for graduate students

One Stop has created an Orientation Quick Start Guide for Graduate Students that can be distributed to students. The Quick Start Guide includes important information and links about financial aid, money management, loan options, and work-study.

The guide is available in a printable and color version on One Stop's website under the Special for Graduate Students page. If you have any questions about this document, please contact Carrie Otto.

Welcome Week

Several Academic Support Resources (ASR) staff are preparing for Welcome Week, a week-long series of activities from August 29 to September 3 designed to welcome approximately 5,000 new freshmen to campus. Students will attend the ASR-produced "Live Like a Student" session, a fun, interactive exploration of living within one's financial means. The session will discuss budgeting, student loans, credit cards, free and low-cost activities, valuable resources for managing student finances, and tools to help find a job on campus.

West Bank One Stop hours change

Beginning September 4, hours for the West Bank One Stop Student Services location (130 West Bank Skyway) will change. The location will be open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; hours will no longer be extended to 5 p.m. on Monday or Tuesday during fall and spring semesters.

Hours at all other One Stop locations will remain the same.

If you have any questions or concerns, contact Heather Peterson at 612-626-9115.

Social security applications

International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), along with the Social Security Administration, will schedule special sessions in August to help new international students employed by the University to complete the social security application process. Students will receive more information about session dates and times while attending the mandatory ISSS Document Check.