University technology upgrades, enhances online presence

The Student Information System (SIS) is set to receive an upgrade over the 2018 summer break, while OrgSync is to be replaced by CampusGroups.

Students can expect an enhanced user experience with SIS starting in the 2018-2019 academic year, and CampusGroups will also be implemented at that time as a platform for students to take a more comprehensive approach to campus engagement.

With the new SIS update, students will be offered the option to adjust personal pronouns within the system to accommodate gender identities.

“Much of the current user interface will be replaced and modernized in a manner similar to SIS mobile,” said Kennan LeJeune, first-year student and Undergraduate Student Government (USG) Director of Information Technology,. “This ensures the easiest possible access to essential information like grades, important dates, financials and registration information.”

Meanwhile, the CampusGroups software was selected to replace OrgSync following the review of multiple engagement platforms conducted by students and staff, which started in the Spring 2017 semester.

According to the Division of Student Affairs’ website, the notion for transition was prompted by a “campus-wide desire to be more connected, communicative and collaborative.”

Engagement platforms are designed to provide tools for event management, attendance tracking, integration of social media and storage for documents and photos. CampusGroups will offer such features, and will ideally promote campus and community involvement, as well as career exploration services, in a more engaging way.