Student Information System (SIS) Developments

September 17, 2020

Subject: Student Information System (SIS) Developments

Sender: Thomas Jeitschko and Mark Largent

Recipients: Deans, Directors and Chairs

Dear Colleagues: 

As many of you are aware, the Student Information System (SIS) Modernization Project has been steadily working toward the implementation of a new student information system. Later this fall, the Project team will be introducing new user-facing functionality for students and staff that will bring significant improvements to the campus community. As we approach these change moments, we wanted to provide you with some important information.  

The forthcoming changes for students and staff will occur at two distinct moments: this fall on Nov. 16 and the start of spring semester, Jan. 11, 2021. The functionality introduced will enhance how the university supports students in their academic progress and success. Campus can anticipate: 

  • A new appointment and tutoring management system to better suit the needs of MSU’s students and advisors that syncs with MS Outlook for appointment management
  • A fully automated cloud-based financial aid solution that streamlines the financial aid process enabling students to make more informed borrowing decisions and giving staff more time to counsel and educate 
  • A more robust Degree Audit tool allowing students and advisors to track academic progress with increased transparency 
  • Expanded GradPlan functionality that includes master’s programs – no more paper degree tracking

For more details about the release of specific functionality coming to students and staff, visit the SIS Project Timeline webpage.  

An inventory of campus auxiliary systems using student data was completed at the beginning of 2020. Since then, the SIS Auxiliary Remediation & Retirement Project team was established to begin assessment work and continue outreach to colleges and MAUs. Co-led by Melissa Del Rio, chief of staff of the Graduate School, and Scott TerMeer, assistant director for MSU IT, this team completed onboarding for owners of auxiliary systems affected by upcoming SIS Project releases in November, January, March and June. Onboarding constituted a review of affected auxiliary systems as well as an overview of the process necessary to transition, dependent upon student data, to the new Campus Solutions data model and processes. Participants included technical leads as well as business owners who will be engaged throughout the transition process and supported by consultations, training and resources provided by the SIS Auxiliary Remediation & Retirement team. 

In the coming weeks and months, the SIS Project will engage affected stakeholders to prepare for upcoming changes. Student communications this fall will focus on digital messaging and resources providing direction and information about where student activities will take place. Academic advisors and Office of Financial Aid staff will be trained in the weeks preceding the Nov. 16 release of functionality, with additional training to advisors and appropriate staff in the weeks before Jan. 11. Find additional details and information about existing and upcoming training on the SIS website.  

We also invite you to hear more updates from the SIS Project via webinar on Thursday, Oct. 15, from 8:30 – 10 a.m. Please save the date for that event. Recordings and resources from previous webinars are also available on the SIS website.  

Thank you for your attention and investment in this important modernization effort.  

Thomas Jeitschko, Associate Provost, Dean of the Graduate School, SIS Executive Committee Co-chair 

Mark Largent, Associate Provost, Dean of Undergraduate Studies, SIS Executive Committee Co-chair