September 1, 2004

MEMORANDUM

TO: John Dutton, Ken Esbenshade, Louis Hunt, Duane Larrick, Dick Keltie, Will Kimler, Bill Swallow

FROM: James Oblinger, Provost

RE: Planning Group for PeopleSoft Student Administration Implementation

Several years ago NC State recognized the need to replace its aging student information system with newer technology and purchased PeopleSoft's student administration system. Since the time of that purchase, PeopleSoft's student administration software has evolved and emerged as an industry leader. The functionality and flexibility of this software will allow NC State University to participate fully in the opportunities of the future.

It is now time to move forward with plans to implement the PeopleSoft Student Administration System. To begin the process, I am asking each of you to serve as a member of a PeopleSoft Student Administration System Implementation Planning Taskforce (IPT). The specific charge of the IPT is to carefully examine the student information system needs of NC State, match those needs with the capabilities of the PeopleSoft System, and then:

• Define an implementation strategy;
• Establish a timeline for the project including milestones
• Provide estimates of the resource requirements and points of investment
• Define a campus structure for the project that ensures appropriate participation by campus stakeholders
• Develop a communication plan for the project

Your selection for participation on this taskforce was based on your unique perspective of the University's students, faculty, and academic programs. This committee will be convened and chaired by Louis Hunt, University Registrar. I encourage this committee to utilize the technical expertise of Administrative Computing Services and Enterprise Information Systems in this endeavor. If the need for external consultation or other expenditures arises, please make those requests through Thomas Conway, Vice Provost for Enrollment Management and Services. My expectation is that I will receive your report by January 31, 2005 in order for recommendations to be considered fully as part of the next university budget cycle. I thank each of you in advance for accepting this important charge.