An important change in how students register for courses will be in eff ect from May 2023 onwards. Th ere is a new Student Information System called “Empower.” All AUBG students are going to receive training on how to pre-register for courses before the start of the actual Robert White, the Dean of Faculty at AUBG, held information sessions for students who would like to learn more about the changes and improvements. He presented the main features of the system and answered questions that arose in the student body. Th e Registrar’s Offi ce “does not expect everything to go smoothly” with Empower. It did not provide students immediate access as it wanted to look through the data and iron out any bugs. Th e goal is “for the new Student Information System to be operating smoothly by the start of fall 2023.” What are the main features of the new student information system? Th e most notable aspect is that it will host all functions such as course registration, course information, forms, and useful tools like the study plan and the academic catalog in one place for convenience. As a result, the old course registration system and the Blackbaud Student Portal will no longer be used and be switched off permanently at the end of Spring 2023. One major change introduced in Empower is the ability for students to complete various forms, such as the Leave of Absence Request, online. Th ese will no longer be available as PDF fi les and will not be submitted on paper in the Registrar’s Offi ce as they were until now. Another diff erence is the introduction of Faculty and Staff Directories, which display details such as their individual schedules. Th is feature will be useful for students when they want to arrange a meeting with a professor or a staff member. pre-registration process in the summer. Th is will ensure they are prepared for the real course pre-registration at the beginning of the summer and will relieve unnecessary stress. What are the advantages and disadvantages of Empower? Th e advantages, from a student’s point of view, include all of the useful features that the system has. Th e advantages for the Registrar’s Offi ce are, according to White, “phenomenal.” He said that diagnosing Written by Hary Dikov Students planning to participate in the Erasmus exchange program will be able to view courses in other universities that are pre-approved for transfer. If a desired course is not included on the list, students can submit a Course Approval Request form. Aft erward, they can send it to the Department Chair responsible for the given course who will review it. Empower will feature the study plan function, enabling students to organize their academic future at AUBG. At the same time, it is going to enable the Registrar’s Offi ce to forecast the demand for certain courses and apply changes if necessary. Students will have the opportunity to consult more than one academic advisor about their course choices. In case they are completing a double major, they will have an advisor from each of the two departments. What will change in the course registration process and will students receive training? Th e implementation of Empower has resulted in a shift in the course registration period for AUBG students. Th ey are now going to sign up for courses for the Fall ‘23 semester at the end of May and the beginning of June. According to the offi cial information presented by the Registrar’s Offi ce, the plan was for registration time slot groups to be removed. However, aft er the fi rst wave of testing the system on April 12, it was decided that the registration time slots will remain. White presented a three-step testing process of course pre-registration consisting of small-group tests, training “play” sessions, and a senior students’ “stress test.” Th e last one will feature all future senior students who are going to simulate real pre-registration. problems during add/drop week is easier and that “the new system saves time for both myself and the Registrar’s Offi ce.” White can also access student information such as personal data and emergency health contacts. In terms of disadvantages, White said, “It’s diffi cult for me to say at this point.” Th e only disadvantage he stated was “simply the amount of work that’s involved in transitioning from an old system to a new system.” Why was the new student information system not introduces earlier? White said the decision to create it was taken over fi ve years ago and “it was a battle.” Th e necessary steps included budget approval and support from higher administration and the Board of Trustees, which took years. Th e approval for the system was given two years ago, and right aft er that, the process of choosing the system’s interface began. White said, “We’re still in the process and there is a lot of work to be done.” them from 5 Spring 2023 | AUBG Daily
6 Publizr Home