Since the Student Information System’s debut Monday, some students have expressed concerns about the new online system, citing a variety of difficulties logging in and general user unfamiliarity.
The SIS, which replaced the Integrated Student Information System as the University’s online course registration system of record, was intended to offer students a greater variety of registration and financial aid features, said Carole Horwitz, director of communications for the Student Systems Project.
A mixed student reaction, however, greeted SIS when it debuted earlier this week. Questions about SIS’s ease of use have surfaced among University students after the fall 2009 course listings were released yesterday. Some students reported issues about login difficulties and problems accessing the system while using certain Internet browsers.
“Safari is not working with the SIS right now,” said Carole Horwitz, director of communications for the Student Systems Project. “Evidently it is supposed to be supported at [the] 2.0.4 [level] and above, but it’s not accepting so we’re just putting on our Web site that students [shouldn’t] use Safari until we figure it out.”
Third-year College student Dagmar Hudson said he had difficulties accessing the new system.
“I had to try to log in six different times,” Hudson said. “It told me there was an error. I [also] had difficulties with the logout button, but it was kicking me off anyways so it didn’t really matter.”
Second-year College student Joey Nelson, meanwhile, said he experienced similar problems with SIS. The system logged Nelson out while he was using it, he said.
Further complaints arose about the integration of the Course Offering Directory in the new course catalog. Several students found the new mnemonic system for enrolling in classes somewhat confusing. Rather than the three-number mnemonics used with ISIS, SIS uses four-digit codes for course registration.
Second-year College student Susan Sainz said she felt that not “all the courses are on [SIS] and [it was hard to] find them” because of the redesigned COD.
The University Registrar’s office, however, stated in an e-mail response that the only complaints received from students and faculty are ones pertaining to the differences between the two systems. The e-mail states that the registrar “has not received any questions/complaints regarding log in difficulties or issues with [enabling] cookies,” as several students claimed to have encountered.
Also in the e-mail, the registrar notes SIS’ “robust features.” Newer and more advanced features, like an online planner and a more personalized home page, allow students the potential for more flexibility and functionality compared to ISIS.
“It’s not difficult to navigate, it’s just more navigation,” Horwitz said, adding that students will become more comfortable with the system if they “play around” with its features.
“[SIS] is actually pretty useful,” second-year College student Yolanda Beasley said, “especially the part about applying for financial aid.”
Second-year College student Colleen Beichert also said it was convenient that students can access the course registration system with their NetBadge identifications.
“I used to forget my [ISIS] information,” she added.
Many students also noted that problems or complaints about SIS likely will subside as students gradually adapt to the new system.
SIS “isn’t necessarily confusing, just something to adjust to,” Beichert said.
More information about SIS, including a virtual demo and usage tips, is available on the registrar’s Web site.
—Sarah Wooten contributed to this article.
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