The Observer, February 29, 2008
Volume XL, Issue 19
SOLAR replaced by newer, sleeker program
Upperclassmen will recall wanting to throw their computer out a window rather than get booted from SOLAR one more time. The new Student Information System (SIS) involves implementing numerous new technological advances that will ease the registration process and make it more secure.
SOLAR, developed in 1999, worked alongside the old Student Information System (ISIS) that was installed in 1989. This technology is extremely outdated, and according to Jack George, the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Project Director, ISIS is potentially dangerous for the university. "ISIS uses the Social Security Number as the primary identifier. As you know, SSN usage is of great concern for students, faculty, staff, and university administration. Our new SIS will allow us to move away from the SSN as the primary identifier," said George.
Instead of using a social security number and a PIN from an adviser to access the course registration tools, students will use their own Case ID and password after their adviser has removed an "advising hold" from the student's account. This also benefits students who might be prone to forgetting their PINs.
Students partial to web browsers other than Internet Explorer will be pleased to know that the old Opal Player system has been eliminated for a new web-based system that has been tested in Firefox and Safari, among other non-Microsoft browsers, on both PCs and Macs. The new program also forgoes SOLAR's hours of operation to instead function 24/7, and does not split graduating classes by last name.
Other significant changes to the new registration program include the use of a "shopping cart" in selecting classes. This allows students to choose courses ahead of the enrollment appointment day by putting them in their cart. As long as the registration enrollment appointment day has arrived, students may then officially register for the courses in the cart. The system will provide alerts if there are any issues that prevent official registration for classes.
One of the changes that students will notice is the enforcement of pre- and co-requisites. "For sometime now, the faculty have wanted a way to enforce requisites at the time of registration. The new system allows for this functionality and the faculty decided to implement this feature," said Amy Hammett, university registrar. The system will automatically enforce listed pre- and co-requisites and students who have not fulfilled the requirements will not be able to sign up for the classes.
There is also a new course-swap feature that will allow a student to remain in one class while they wait to see if a seat opens up in another class that they would rather take.
Although registration has not begun, the new searchable schedule of classes is available for use online, accessible through the MyCase portal. A preview of the system can be found at http://www.case.edu/projects/erp.
