NU, state colleges pick Student Information System provider
The University of Nebraska and Nebraska State College System have chosen Oracle USA to provide a new $29.8 million Student Information System for students at the four NU campuses and three state colleges.
In addition, CedarCrestone Consultants has been chosen to work with NU and the state colleges to implement the new software system.
The selections are the result of two years of study, review and negotiations by representatives from all seven campuses.
However tedious the phrase “Student Information System” sounds, campus leaders say, it’s anything but: The system manages nearly every interaction between NU and its 48,000 students, including class registration, grades, billing, financial aid and housing.
It also manages records of recruits and alumni, meaning that over time, the system is responsible for millions of individual records.
Last year, Pennsylvania-based SunGard notified NU it would stop maintaining the Student Information System after 2011 because costs had risen too much.
NU was left with no choice but to replace the system, which the university says has grown outdated and inefficient anyway.
The Nebraska State College System also was looking to upgrade its software systems, so Gov. Dave Heineman recommended NU partner with the state colleges to cut costs and increase efficiency.
Even with the partnership — and $20 million from the state — the project will be pricey.
“It’s a major investment and it’s a costly one,” said Linda Pratt, NU executive vice president and provost.
The new system is expected to be in place by August 2010, allowing time for glitches to be smoothed out before the current system expires.
“Anytime you make a significant change in any huge computer system, there will be challenges,” Pratt said. “People will have to learn new business practices, and that’s always frustrating. ... And people will have to continue to do their jobs while learning new business practices.”
But once they’ve adjusted, they can rest easy for a while: Pratt said another Student Information System won’t be needed for 10 to 15 years or more.
“Our campuses will need to be patient and keep their eyes on the future,” she said.
Reach Melissa Lee at 473-2682 or mlee@journalstar.com.
In addition, CedarCrestone Consultants has been chosen to work with NU and the state colleges to implement the new software system.
The selections are the result of two years of study, review and negotiations by representatives from all seven campuses.
However tedious the phrase “Student Information System” sounds, campus leaders say, it’s anything but: The system manages nearly every interaction between NU and its 48,000 students, including class registration, grades, billing, financial aid and housing.
It also manages records of recruits and alumni, meaning that over time, the system is responsible for millions of individual records.
Last year, Pennsylvania-based SunGard notified NU it would stop maintaining the Student Information System after 2011 because costs had risen too much.
NU was left with no choice but to replace the system, which the university says has grown outdated and inefficient anyway.
The Nebraska State College System also was looking to upgrade its software systems, so Gov. Dave Heineman recommended NU partner with the state colleges to cut costs and increase efficiency.
Even with the partnership — and $20 million from the state — the project will be pricey.
“It’s a major investment and it’s a costly one,” said Linda Pratt, NU executive vice president and provost.
The new system is expected to be in place by August 2010, allowing time for glitches to be smoothed out before the current system expires.
“Anytime you make a significant change in any huge computer system, there will be challenges,” Pratt said. “People will have to learn new business practices, and that’s always frustrating. ... And people will have to continue to do their jobs while learning new business practices.”
But once they’ve adjusted, they can rest easy for a while: Pratt said another Student Information System won’t be needed for 10 to 15 years or more.
“Our campuses will need to be patient and keep their eyes on the future,” she said.
Reach Melissa Lee at 473-2682 or mlee@journalstar.com.
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