New Banner system unveiled

Students will be using a new Banner registration system as they enroll for next semester’s classes.

This system has been under construction for more than two years with hands-on work starting last November. Team Coordinator Carl Ellsworth from the IT department said the system will have new capabilities and resolve many of the problems with the current system.

USUSA Senator Sam Wright said the biggest problem with the the old Banner system is “the complete antiquated nature.”

“The inability to view when your classes are as you’re signing up, the crashing, the worn out interface,” Wright said. “So many, so many things.”

Wright said the new system is arguably one of the biggest changes students have seen in the past three or four years because it affects all students.

Several teams in the IT department, including Ellsworth’s team, have helped develop the product. The Registrar’s Office and the Marketing and Communications Office have also been involved.

The new system was developed by an outside vendor for a wide audience and was generic by the time Utah State University officials started working with it. When the IT department took into account the specific needs of the university, they put campus searches and course section combination fields much higher on the criteria.

“Most students appear to do searches by that field,” Ellsworth said.

Ellsworth said the features he is most excited about are the new interface, smart text searches and the ability to search classes, save plans and register all in the same place. Students can also view registration plans before registration opens.

There has been concern from advisers that the system is too streamlined for students majoring in programs with many options for electives and emphases. Conversely, the requirements from other majors are more straightforward.

But Ellsworth said the new system will benefit everyone.

“It has new capabilities and more search functions that allow them to find exactly what they’re looking for faster,” he said.

Students will now have the ability to export the calendar to mobile devices, which Wright said is one of the most popular features.

“Honestly, for a nice university like this, it’s always been a wonder to me that we have such a crappy way of signing up for classes,” Wright said. “It brings us up to date I think and prepares us for the future to some extent.”

The new system is part of the Banner EX project, of which Registration EX is only one facet. In the next few years, Ellsworth said students can expect to see more improvements like this to Banner.

“Some will affect (students) just as much, but they won’t have as such immediate impact on usability,” he said.

For now, students interested in learning how to work the new Banner system can receive training on 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday in Eccles Science Learning Center, Room 130. Video training is also available on the university website.

The IT service desk will be on-call on the nights of registration because they understand the transition will be difficult.

— brennakelly818@gmail.com