MIS

The MIS group directs most of I.T.S. efforts towards the less glamorous maintenance of the college’s institutional data, and is called upon constantly on short notice to extract information for myriad uses. Nevertheless, the area has managed to implement many systems that improve access to information or safeguard critical institutional data.

New Periphonics IVR system

Students can register for classes using a touch-tone telephone via the Student Information Management System (SIMS). The Interactive Voice Response System (IVR) allows students to:

• Registration for multiple semesters in one telephone call.
  
• Add, Drop and Replace Courses
  
• Obtain grades
  
• Obtain a Student Transcript and/or Student Grade Mailer
  
• Check Tuition/Fee Balances
  
• Check Financial Aid Awards and how the Awards are being used for Tuition/Fees
  
• Finds open courses
  
• Change PIN Numbers
  

The college recently installed and activated a completely new telephone registration system based on a UNIX Periphonics model. The new system required completely rewriting the thousands of pages of processing scripts and writing new scripts for the many new functions which include: registration for multiple terms in one session, improved open course readout, transcript and grade mailer requests, financial aid and bursaring modules, and better recovery from close-course situations. The new IVR also has 50% more lines.

• Imaging System (AIMS)
  After much research and evaluation, the college installed a new document imaging system (AIMS) which is being used initially to scan images of all of the colleges aging transcript records. Tens of thousands of transcripts have already been stored in the system and the Registrar is using it for quick and easy retrieval. Future uses of the system include the possible scanning of HR and Admission records.
  
  
• Schedule 25
  I.T.S. worked closely with the Registrar to install and implement the Schedule 25 room scheduling system. The system is now set up but has not been used due to concerns on the part of the Registrar as to the practical utility of the system. Nevertheless, I.T.S. expects that the system will soon be used to schedule at least some portion of the college’s rooms.
  
  
• IFAS/HR
  I.T.S. continued to work closely with the Business Office to implement additional modules of the IFAS accounting system and to upgrade the hardware and software systems that support it. HR and Payrol processing are now active.
  
  
• Improved freshman records processing
  I.T.S. worked with the Admissions Office to automate the routing of data from our regular student allocations into a file system that will facilitate the production of frequent personalized mailings.