New applications program to slowly replace MyBlugold

New look to program will 'go live' in the fall 2010 semester, manager says

By: Tara Cegla

Posted: 5/7/09

"The times they are a-changin" as Bob Dylan would say, are here at UW-Eau Claire. The MyBlugold section on the university's Web site is seeing changes of its own.

Learning and Technology Services have worked extensive hours to implement the new program, People Soft's Campus Solutions. This program will run student applications, such as registration for classes, financial aid information, academic history and personal information.

Assistant Project Manager for Campus Solutions Bev Miller said it's difficult explaining to people how the new program will differ from the current.

"What's going to happen is that you'll still go to MyBlugold," Miller said. "Wherever you go now to register for courses, we're going to try to keep that still there, but that link might go to a different place and that might look different."

During transition, Miller said that registration for summer courses could be through the old system but registration for fall courses might be through the new system. Miller said the current plan to "go live" would occur in fall 2010.

Miller estimates the project has already been worked on for around 50,000 hours. Every semester, Miller said students build up around 10 records for their academic history. So far, Miller said 3 million records have been transferred from the old system to the new system and LTS plans to carry records over as far back as 1985.

In terms of how the switch will affect students, Miller gave a timeline as to when it will impact them.

According to a press release, personal demographics will be updated in August 2009, financial aid notifications will be added in February 2010, registering for classes begins in March 2010 and all other information will be added in fall 2010.

One new feature that will be added in the registration section is a calendar feature, which allows students to see possible conflicts in their schedules, Miller said.

Sophomore Joe Bottensek said he likes the idea of having a new program for student applications.

"I think the layout right now is pretty crappy, it's hard to navigate," he said. "The easibility (of the new program) looks like it's going to be a lot better."

Bottensek also said that having features, like a calendar for scheduling, would be a nice addition and make registering easier.

The UW System has been pushing all schools to adopt to Campus Solutions and Eau Claire is the second to last university in the state to do so, Miller said. The total cost will come close to $4 million, which the System will help pay while the rest will be included in the university budget, Miller said.

Bottensek said having the same program for all the universities would make registering at other universities for summer courses much easier.

One thing Miller is most excited for is the different layout.

"It's more of a visual interface than a text interface," Miller said. "People are pointing and clicking on things rather than remembering things. I think people will feel like they're much more up to date on things."

For more information on Campus Solutions, go to its Web site at

camps.uwec.edu.