The speaker at Monday’s TSG meeting sought to learn student complaints with the Banner system.
In time for Fall 2012 registration, Dr. Jodi Levine Laufgraben spoke to the TSG General Assembly on April 2, to announce updates in Self-Service Banner and receive feedback on the software from students. Laufgraben mentioned specific features regarding prerequisites and transfer credits.
“We are getting closer to having all the prerequisites, what we call ‘turned on,’” Laufgraben, vice provost for academic affairs and assessment, said. She is a part of the leadership group within the Banner Student Competency Center, academic staff which meets with Computer Services to discuss common student problems with Banner.
“Last fall we tested it in four subject areas. We’re now expanding pre-requisites for 52 subjects,” Laufgraben said. She said the university hopes to have all pre-requisites “in place” by the start of Spring 2013 registration.
Laufgraben said Banner is now able to recognize the difference between C and C- student grades that meet minimum prerequisite requirements. After the Fall 2011 semester, Laufgraben said, the university saw a 99 percent grade submission rate by the established deadline, the highest faculty compliance with grade submissions in recent years.
“We did a lot of communication with faculty…but we’re going to keep up the same level of reminders,” Laufgraben said. “We’re even extending the grading period a little bit in May so that faculty can attend graduation and various events and activities…and also to compensate for the fact that Banner’s going to be down one day because we do have to upgrade.”
Banner will be shut down on May 12, for a mandatory system upgrade from its parent company, Banner SunGuard.
TSG Student Body President Colin Saltry made a short statement thanking the TSG officers and the General Assembly, reminding everyone to vote for next year’s executive officers. Voting ends tonight, April 4, at midnight.
“What role do you want students to play in the future?” Saltry said.
“This has been the single most humbling experience of my life,” Saltry said. He is preparing to enter law school after he graduates in May.
Monday’s meeting attendance was noticeably lower than that of most weeks this semester. As TSG Vice President of External Affairs Elliot Griffin pointed out, the majority of allocation requests have passed.
Amelia Brust can be reached at abrust@temple.edu.
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