Next Generation Student Systems (NGSS) Project Progress Report |
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July 17, 2012,
Volume 59, No. 01 |
The Next Generation Student Systems (NGSS) Project reached a major milestone in May with the distribution of an RFP (Request for Proposal) for the two leading student systems products, Campus Solutions from Oracle and Banner from Ellucian. Preparation for the RFP included developing a vision of the future, reviewing key policies and data definitions, compilation of detailed functional requirements, continued tracking of vendor product roadmaps and articulating a future technical strategy.
Regular consultation with University administrators, faculty, staff and a student advisory group helped the project refine an increasingly clearer vision of what an ideal NGSS could enable in the future. Forward-looking trends include: dynamic self-service options that keep pace with increasing expectations for immediacy, mobility and accessibility; real-time integration of student processes and information, as events trigger coordinated changes to registration, billing and financial aid records; expanded access for a broader constituency, such as parents, mentors, employers and others as authorized by students; lowering barriers to the flow of student data with synchronization across campus; support for the ongoing challenges of student identity management, security and privacy controls; and support for innovative online learning initiatives, and flexible classroom and schedule formats.
Although delivering all system capabilities at the same time is not unusual as an implementation strategy, the team has recommended that a phased approach might be most appropriate for Penn, beginning with Student Billing and/or Financial Aid, followed by Student Records. A key consideration for this recommendation was that while both vendors’ Student Billing & Financial Aid modules are stable enough to allow a solid comparison, the Student Records modules—which are currently undergoing major upgrades—are not. The team felt it best to defer evaluating Student Records until these upgrades are more complete and stable. Consequently, the RFP focuses on the requirements for Student Billing and Financial Aid only.
The phased model also mitigates the potential resource and operational strains placed on the University if instituting many process changes at the same time. Mastery of advanced technical capabilities (e.g. workflow, modernization of user interfaces, real-time data integration) at a more modest scale builds a solid foundation for the much larger Student Records and the vision for access to student data “anywhere, at any time.” Other benefits include increasing the University’s ability to assess and plan for change, developing training capabilities, and securing some functional benefits sooner without having to wait for “the whole thing.”
Following receipt of the vendors’ RFP responses in early July, intensive evaluation of their proposals and products will take place over the rest of the summer. Evaluation activities will include scripted product demonstrations, identifying product gaps, and assessing vendors’ strategic plans in light of Penn’s long-term vision. The core project team and key University stakeholders will participate in various phases of the evaluation. The overall assessment of vendors and products, implementation options, cost estimates, and impacts will lead to a vendor recommendation and project implementation plan in the fall.
—Robin H. Beck
Vice President
Information Systems and Computing
—Michelle H. Brown-Nevers
Associate Vice President
Student Registration and Financial Services |