Attendees: Drs. Catherine Bender, Susan Sereika, Walt Stoy, Amy Knapp, Tony Silvestre, David Crossman, Tom Metzger, Evelyn Talbott, Chao-Lin Chiu, Bruce Steele, Ivanka Nikolova.

1) Vice Provost Robert F. Pack presented an overview of a new student information system to replace ISIS (Integrated Student information System) by August of 2005. This system, selected through a lengthy process called CERMIS (Curriculum Enrollment and Management Information System) has been in the planning stages since the mid-1990's. The latest selection process and charge to the committee began on May 20, 2002. The goal was the acquisition of data to meet the curriculum needs of the students, to provide essential management data to department chairs, deans, and other administrators, and to enable the University to provide better service.

2) This process included an exhaustive search for vendors who had appropriate software that would be able to encompass all aspects of the University process: Admissions, Housing, financial aid, registration, bill payment, grading, etc.

Two vendors were chosen to present their software and programs: SCT Banner, and People Soft. Requests for information began on August 30, 2002 and a final recommendation was made by the committee in April, 2003. The People Soft Contract was signed in June 2003.

3) Important aspects of the new system will be the ability to keep a record electronically of admissions and financial aid, as well as to track the progress toward completing degrees and to check on available classes necessary for graduation. Students will be able to register for courses on line if academic unit policies permit as well as for advisors to track the progress of their students

4) Information of project history and other information see: https://www.pitt.edu/studentsys/

PITT plans to hire two full time staff in central computing to administer the new system. Dr. Pack made it clear that although the system will be more efficient than the current system, the administration's goal in implementing the system was not focused on staff reduction but rather on improving service and information. There will be extensive Peoplesoft training and programming support to staff.

Dr. David Crossman asked if the idea would be to follow the student and be comprehensive in nature. Will an Academic Advisor be able to have access to certain portions of the record? Dr. Talbott indicated that the experience of other institutions (Post Gazette and others) is that there is a steep learning curve and it would be critical to have People Soft support on hand through the learning process.

Dr. Pack answered that it is a matter of policy as to who has access to the data. This will be considered and worked out. There are legal constraints for student privacy. A question and answer period followed. The meeting adjourned at 1:15 PM.

Next Meeting: Dec 16th, A638 Crabtree/GSPH, 12 noon