Online audit system designed by existing staff, did not require CMU to buy any additional consultants or software

All of the work conducted to produce the online audit system has been done in-house by Central Michigan University staff using existing technology.

In an email from Interim Associate Vice President of University Communications Sherry Knight to Central Michigan Life, she said the online audit system was a joint priority for Enrollment and Student Services, Global Campus, Office of Information Technology and the provost’s office.

“No additional staffing, consultants or software were purchased,” Knight said in an email to CM Life on Nov. 18.

As previously reported by CM Life, University Registrar Karen Hutslar said students will now be able to determine exactly where they stand in the progress toward their degree. The program will show a detailed list of what courses have been satisfied, what is in progress and what requirements are unmet.

Steven Johnson, vice president of Enrollment and Student Services, said in an email the system will provide students and advisers with planning tools as they consider major selections and changes, including “what-if” scenarios. He said this also will encourage timely degree completion.

“Students will be able to monitor their progress real-time and plan subsequent class choices in advance,” he said. “Therefore, students will avoid surprises — such as classes that should have been taken earlier.”

The online audit system will allow academic departments to better project course demand, and students will be able to anticipate when courses will be offered, Johnson said.

Knight said the university anticipates greater efficiencies overall because advisers will be able to engage students more and the Registrar’s Office will be able to work with department chairs and faculty more. Course-schedule management can be more strategic and closely aligned to enrollment and demand, she said.

Johnson said the online audit system will be a resource to students, faculty and staff. He said it will support and facilitate the advising process, not compete with or eliminate it.

Phase 1 testing of the program began Oct. 8 for more than 70 faculty and staff volunteers.

Testing allows for the online audit of general education requirements for undergraduates, the Master of Science in Administration degree for all students in the program and an advising workbench where faculty and staff can access student demographic and academic information.

Progress has also been made to add additional degrees, majors, minors and graduate programs in accordance with the 2011-12 academic bulletin.

The final version of the project is scheduled to become available to students in January through CentralLink.