Student Service is high priority for the University in the deployment of the new MyPack/Student Information System (SIS)

One of the single most important factors in the University’s 2005 decision to replace our aging student information system was the opportunity to improve student service. The endeavor on which we’ve embarked is complex and requires time to complete. We are currently, a little less than one-third of the way toward reaching the completion of this effort. This is a step-at-a-time process.

The Student Information System (SIS) (of which the MyPack portal is an integral part) allows us to deliver improved technology and functionality for students. The list of improved real-time features and capabilities is long, and includes class swapping, prerequisite checking, auto-enrollment in paired lectures and labs, on-line graduation checkout and minor tracking. In addition, the new platform provides the flexibility to add other new services like Student Life Transcripts to track co-curricular involvement (club memberships, leadership experience, etc). Any change of this magnitude and nature means we will encounter difficulties and inconveniences during the transition. While trying to keep problems to a minimum, we won’t be able to anticipate and prevent them all. Specific plans to address and deal with such difficulties include:

• Listening – This is the most important component of our strategy. We need to hear your ideas, thoughts, concerns and yes, complaints. Students have a right to be upset if they can't access the critical services they need; we need to understand those concerns so we can work to resolve them.
• Communication with you, the student body – You need to know, in a timely manner what changes to expect, how they will impact you and how to take advantage of new on-line services. These messages are posted prominently on the portal home page. In select instances we may employ direct email to students
• Skilled administrative and support staff – NC State has run our current system for many years, and, as a result, can quickly recognize and resolve problems when they occur. Our team will continue to identify and address problems as quickly as possible and minimize the likelihood of recurrence. Our technical support staff and administrators are in the process of learning the new system but will soon have the same high level of expertise that exists with regards to the old system.

The feedback we’ve received is extremely constructive and helpful and we need more of the same. What we’ve heard tells us where we need to focus attention. It also tells us that, in spite of our communication plans and strategies; we need to find ways to do a better job. We ask that students continue to provide feedback. Special feedback web links are provided on both the MyPack student homepage as well as the SIS project web site (http://www.ncsu.edu/sis/). Please use them. We are listening! Our project team also welcomes opportunities to talk face-to-face with student groups across the NC State community. Please contact our Training and Communication Coordinator, Sharon Broere at sharon_broere@ncsu.edu to arrange a meeting.

Rick Liston
Project Manager - Student Information System (SIS) Implementation
Phone / Voice Mail: 919-515-1998 / Cell: 919-623-4088
E-mail Rick_Liston@ncsu.edu  / http://www.ncsu.edu/sis/