Crookston updates (May 2015)

• On May 9 Crookston celebrated the 107th graduating class. The very first was in 1909, when the site was home to the Northwest School of Agriculture (NWSA). 
• The annual Faculty and Staff Awards Celebration Luncheon was held on May 12, where retirees and several staff were recognized and received service awards.
• As to the Upgrade—the faculty and staff are pleased overall with the transition and support that has been provided. A few minor growing pains, but very smooth sailing!   

Comings & goings
OTR has hired Arlene Tahran who will work part-time to assist with imaging materials. Arlene recently retired after serving approximately 45 years as the Administrative Assistant in the UMC Business Department.

Email account lifecycle

Good news for students—the student email account lifecycle has recently extended student’s accounts to two years of inactivity before closing them. This change will help collectors, advisers and students.

eBusiness

The University’s eBusiness agreement went live on May 13 across the system via an interruptive alert. So far, over 48,659 agreements have been completed. The Student Finance functional committee group, including One Stop representation are working on a process for anyone who opts out of the eBusiness agreement.

Legislative metrics finalized

The Higher Educations Omnibus bill recently released includes performance goals tied to funding; 5% of the FY17 appropriation will only become available based on the number of the following goals met:

1. Increase by at least one percent the four-year, five-year, or six-year undergraduate graduation rates, averaged over three years, for students of color systemwide at the University of Minnesota reported in fall 2016 over fall 2014. The average rate for fall 2014 is calculated with the graduation rates reported in fall 2012, 2013, and 2014.
2. Increase by at least two percent the total number of undergraduate STEM degrees, averaged over three years, conferred systemwide by the University of Minnesota reported in fiscal year 2016 over fiscal year 2014. The averaged number for fiscal year 2014 is calculated with the fiscal year 2012, 2013, and 2014 numbers.
3. Increase by at least one percent the four-year undergraduate graduation rate at the University of Minnesota reported in fall 2016 over fall 2014. The average rate for fall 2014 is calculated with the graduation rates reported in fall 2012, 2013, and 2014. The averaged number for fiscal year 2014 is calculated with the fiscal year 2012, 2013, and 2014 numbers.
4. For fiscal year 2016, reallocate $15,000,000 of administrative costs. The Board of Regents is requested to redirect those funds to invest in direct mission activities, stem growth in cost of attendance, and to programs that benefit students.
5. Increase licensing disclosures by three percent for fiscal year 2016 over fiscal year 2015.

We all continue to be impacted by the mandated reallocation of $15M of administrative costs for FY16. The Board of Regents is requested to redirect those funds to invest in direct mission activities, STEM growth in cost of attendance, and to programs that benefit students.

Upgrade notes

The enhanced support period continues with review and resolution of problem reports system wide. One reported issue is the new class search functionality has not been well received and is under review for a quick short term temporary solution. The command center continues in operation but some meetings have been canceled or shortened as reported issues are diminishing. Much of the business is now transitioning fully to the University staff, as on June 19, the project officially wraps up and the consultants will be leaving. As the ESUP Upgrade project wraps up, please take the opportunity to provide your feedback by completing this survey.

Sue's update (May 2015)

Thanks to all of you for making the Upgrade a success. The teamwork from all campuses has allowed us to build a solid foundation from which to move forward for student success. I am challenging the steering committees as they transition to think broadly how we can still continue to increase retention and graduation rates. Review how your committee should function going forward to continue to make progress.

Some major accomplishments from this year include:

• A total of 482 PeopleSoft 9.0 modifications in the student workstream; this is a 53% reduction from 8.9
• 31 pillar applications were replaced or retired through the upgrade, resulting in $4M OIT annual savings
• Launch of STAR online scholarship application: 1,500 students have used the online scholarship application in its first year
• peerTransfer now live: allows international students to pay the University from bank accounts in their country of origin without having to arrange for a wire transfer or pay bank transfer fees. So far, 315 payments have been received, accounting for over $2.3M paid to the University.

To view some of the 2014-15 accomplishments from across the system, please view this presentation.

Eleanor's Update - May 2015

Just when we think we’ve got some breathing room with the successful Upgrade implementation behind us—here comes a new day, full of tasks, and the projects we’ve had in the parking lot. Several new initiatives and new opportunities are already underway as each functional area begins review and prioritization of items for post go live action.

But let’s not forget to pause, take a breath, and celebrate our success. Let’s recognize the journey we’ve taken together. The understanding we’ve gained, the contacts we’ve made, and relationships we’ve developed with each other over the course of the project have strengthened us so we are now more than ready to tackle these new projects.

I hope to support you all in the sustainment of these new relationships. My temporary test coordinator assignment activities are wrapping up as the implementation is done and we are in the enhanced care phase of the project. I have begun transition back to my systems campus relations role, once again defining and refining my role to best serve and support you. I look forward to our continued partnerships.

Now take a look below to see just a sampling of what has been happening across the system.