DegreeCat update

After a thorough RFP process that involved representation from all campuses and extensive testing for usability, Coursedog was selected as the vendor to replace ECAS, PCAS, and the University catalog.

Some highlights of Coursedog:

• Intuitive design with course and program workflow approval systems in the same interface with data deeply connected Ability to upload PDFs (e.g., syllabi) or other documentation
• System allows for publishing of accurate curricular data beyond the official catalog (e.g., department and collegiate websites, Admissions, major exploration tools, reporting tools)
• The product design approach makes it easier to implement configurations and handle University complexities
• University staff can easily configure workflows and forms without vendor support
• Robust reporting interface with features that allow for better reporting and data analysis

Updated project timeline

The implementation of Stellic—the new tool for graduation planning and schedule building—has been delayed. The initial timeline was created without a full understanding of the work required to have our system integrations working well. The project is prioritizing “getting it right” over “getting it done soon” because there is a need to establish trust in the system; we are taking the time to get accurate, actionable data into Stellic.

As before, a small group of University colleges and campuses—called Wave 1—will launch first. The new timeline for Wave 1 would have their students using Stellic as soon as May 2022. On the Twin Cities campus, CBS is in Wave 1. The rollout to remaining undergraduate students is targeted to be complete around the start of the fall 2022 semester. Regardless of when a college begins using Stellic, advisors will have access to the system prior to students in order to become familiar and comfortable with it.

Information about the project is available at DegreeCat Project and questions can be sent to degreecat@umn.edu.

DegreeCat town hall

The DegreeCat Project will be holding its first town hall meeting on Tuesday, October 12 at 1:00 p.m. The town hall will be held exclusively on Zoom and is open to all University community members on all campuses who are interested in the project’s efforts to replace Graduation Planner, Schedule Builder, ECAS, and PCAS. Those who attend will hear from project leadership and team members who will provide updates, give demonstrations, and answer questions.

Join the DegreeCat Google group to be added to the calendar invitation and to have access to the video after the event. Just click the "joining the group" link on the group page.

Keep in touch with the DegreeCat project

The DegreeCat project is the University’s multi-year effort to replace its custom-built tools related to degree planning and catalog and curriculum management. During the course of the project, Graduation Planner, Scheduler Builder, ECAS, and PCAS will be replaced by vendor solutions that provide better service than our homegrown solutions. Stay in touch with the project progress by joining the DegreeCat Google group. Just click the “joining the group” link in the middle of the group page to get monthly status updates and invitations to town hall meetings.