Communications


Date: March 13, 2006
To: All U.Va. Students
From: Charles M. Grisham
Subject: Software Vendor Selected for U.Va.’s New Student Information System

Dear Students:

Most, if not all, of you have been curious about the University’s plans to replace the Integrated Student Information System (ISIS). Today we are taking a major step along that road, and it is important for you to hear the news directly from the University, before it is announced to the general public.

Following an intensive, yearlong analysis, the University of Virginia has chosen PeopleSoft as its new student information system, which includes admissions, financial aid, registration, transcripts, billing, and other student administrative functions that currently exchange information with the current system, such as housing and dining, for all schools and offices at the University. Over the past 14 months, a total of more than 250 University staff and faculty have been working to analyze the University’s requirements for a new system, and we are confident that PeopleSoft is the best match for the University’s needs.

Someday, U.Va. students will enjoy a better, more efficient experience in all their administrative activities than is available today, but this new system will take time to develop, install, and test. Other universities have taken up to four years to fully implement a student system, and our experience may be similar.

What is important right now is that we involve and engage as many of you as possible in this complex process. We will soon constitute a group called Student Advisors to the Student System. If you might be interested in joining this important team, I hope you will let us know. Please write to StuSys@virginia.edu if you think you can help us. All students will be able to track the progress of the Student System Project at our Web site:
http://www.virginia.edu/integratedsystem/studentSysProj

The Student System Project Team is committed to providing the University community with an efficient and effective student information system that supports the University’s mission, integrates with existing systems, and adapts to growth and change. We look forward to working with you as we go forward into this new world.

Sincerely,
Charles M. Grisham
Professor of Chemistry
and
Director, Student System Project
Vice President and Chief Student Affairs Officer Lampkin approved distribution of this message.