The transition from CardinalWeb to Self-Service Banner happened what seemed to be overnight. And Otterbein's campus has mixed feelings on the subject.
Some students, like junior public relations major Brittany Edwards, are experiencing difficulties in registering for classes.
"Getting signed on took forever. Then I had problems getting registered for classes when Banner said I didn't have a prerequisite I needed," Edwards said.
Because of the mix-up, Edwards registered for a class she already took.
According to Michael Boehm, interim chief information officer for the IT department, however, Banner is the "number one highest-ranked system."
"Banner implements the best practices. It allows a single point of entry, and it's accessible," Boehm said.
When Boehm began at Otterbein on Aug. 17, he already had experience in data migration under his belt.
Boehm said the IT department is taking "great pains to convert historical data. If you're having problems, you should call the Help Desk."
Sophomore theatre design/technology major, Lizzi Angelone also had trouble scheduling classes.
"First I couldn't get signed on to Banner. So I went to the Registrar's Office to get signed on, but they couldn't register me either. By the time I got on, which was the week before school, I had to be waitlisted for all my INST classes. After they switched me to Banner, I couldn't sign on to CardinalWeb either. So, I couldn't check what I needed or anything," Angelone said.
"I got an email saying ‘you have been added to the classes you were waitlisted,' so I thought that meant all of them. I went and bought all of my books for my classes, went to class the first day of school, then found out later that day that I wasn't actually in any of those classes.
"I had to go to my adviser and just pick out an INST class, which was astronomy. So I had all of my books that I already paid for, then I had to buy the astronomy book that I didn't have the money for," Angelone said.
"Any time you bring significant change, in many cases, it's uncomfortable," Boehm said.
Like many others, Edwards said that the new Banner system was "thrown" at Otterbein.
"There should have been more of a heads up to let us know, and they should have said why we're switching," Edwards said.
Because Boehm was not an employee at Otterbein at the time the switch was decided, he could not comment on specific reasons Otterbein would switch.
Boehm said that communication is one area that the IT department is trying to improve.
"We're working to improve communication from the IT department to campus. We're planning town hall meetings that will address specific topics like Banner," Boehm said. "From our perspective, our number one customers are students."
Whether there was enough notice or not, Anne Sillato receptionist of Student Affairs, found it easy to transition.
Sillato, who worked with the Student Information System (SIS) for 12 years, began using Banner the day she returned from summer break.
"There are still some things I need to learn, but I am very comfortable with it and feel it is very user friendly. I can get a student's complete schedule for the quarter I am seeking. The professors' names are available immediately, and I don't have to go to another screen to get them."
Although Edwards had some difficulty with Banner, she said that "Banner was better in showing the amount of classes that were being offered and were available."
In some cases, like Edwards', Banner is not fully updated. The Registrar's Office advises students to check their degree audit in CardinalWeb and check off any classes they are currently taking or registered for. t&c;
