2008 Woodie Awards
New Banner System Causes Headaches
Gerard Fisicaro
Issue date: 11/1/06 Section: Top Stories
- Page 1 of 1
William Paterson University officials have recently implemented a new online resource system for students to access their personal information: the Banner ID System.
The Banner system was put into service by the University two years ago, offering a variety of features, including access to add/drop classes, financial aid and student records.
The system requires students to use a nine digit student ID number beginning with 855, which was implemented in place of students' social security numbers last semester. The new number protects the privacy of students' social security numbers.
Dr. Sandra Miller of the Information Research Technology Department explained that the old system, the "Student Information System," was outdated and no longer supported by its manufacturer.
"The new Banner system was implemented by putting financial, human resource and student information together," Miller said. "Each piece took six months to one year to integrate."
The major difference between the old and new systems is that students' information is now available on the "student services" page. This page provides students with a wide range of information, including financial aid eligibility, award information, class search, add/drop, student schedule and registration status.
Additionally, "student records" offers final grades listings, academic transcripts, degree evaluation and bill payment.
Students gain access to Banner through registration from the student services page, entering their Banner ID number and password.
Students who want to know which classes are still needed in order to meet their degree requirements can select "degree evaluation" from the services page. A student can choose from three evaluation types, the most useful being the "detailed evaluation." This page displays both the classes that a student has completed and the classes that still must be taken.
The evaluation page breaks down the classes by subject category and displays the remaining classes needed for the student's degree.
The system displays requirements that have not yet been met in red so that students can easily determine their remaining courses. Total number of credits, credits in progress, GPA and transferred credits are also displayed.
Access to the new system has been a challenge for some students, but they have no choice but to adapt.
"It's been okay but the old version was quicker and easier," said senior Gregory Staklosa of the new system. "My only problem was that it was time consuming, but I've been able to adjust to the new system."
The Banner system was put into service by the University two years ago, offering a variety of features, including access to add/drop classes, financial aid and student records.
The system requires students to use a nine digit student ID number beginning with 855, which was implemented in place of students' social security numbers last semester. The new number protects the privacy of students' social security numbers.
Dr. Sandra Miller of the Information Research Technology Department explained that the old system, the "Student Information System," was outdated and no longer supported by its manufacturer.
"The new Banner system was implemented by putting financial, human resource and student information together," Miller said. "Each piece took six months to one year to integrate."
The major difference between the old and new systems is that students' information is now available on the "student services" page. This page provides students with a wide range of information, including financial aid eligibility, award information, class search, add/drop, student schedule and registration status.
Additionally, "student records" offers final grades listings, academic transcripts, degree evaluation and bill payment.
Students gain access to Banner through registration from the student services page, entering their Banner ID number and password.
Students who want to know which classes are still needed in order to meet their degree requirements can select "degree evaluation" from the services page. A student can choose from three evaluation types, the most useful being the "detailed evaluation." This page displays both the classes that a student has completed and the classes that still must be taken.
The evaluation page breaks down the classes by subject category and displays the remaining classes needed for the student's degree.
The system displays requirements that have not yet been met in red so that students can easily determine their remaining courses. Total number of credits, credits in progress, GPA and transferred credits are also displayed.
Access to the new system has been a challenge for some students, but they have no choice but to adapt.
"It's been okay but the old version was quicker and easier," said senior Gregory Staklosa of the new system. "My only problem was that it was time consuming, but I've been able to adjust to the new system."
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