Banner project slated to eliminate inappropriate use of Social Security numbers
The Utah State University Banner project team is working with students, faculty and staff to meet the data needs of the university, including the security of Social Security numbers.
Banner is an administrative data management software platform currently undergoing implementation, designed in part to eliminate the need to use Social Security numbers for identifying purposes.
“Banner will generate an assigned unique ID number [to each student] that is in no way linked to their Social Security number,” said Rory Weaver, Banner project manager.
The Social Security number will only be used in instances where federal requirements mandate it, said Ray Quattlebaum, Collegis project manager.
In addition, Weaver said Banner has a confidentiality indicator, which specifies to a Banner user that the student they are viewing information about has requested confidentiality.
Other benefits that students might see because of Banner include the use of electronic forms and signatures and 24-hour, online access to records and data through the Web.
According to the Banner Web site at www.usu.edu/banner, Banner will consist of four main parts – Banner Finance, Banner Financial Aid, Banner Student, and Banner HR/Payroll. Each one of these systems will share data so that information such as a student’s name only has to be entered once.
This will provide greater efficiencies, less redundancy and less confusion among data contained in various software products and networks, and will enhance data integrity.
Quattlebaum said the Banner project is scheduled to conclude in 2006, but the student module will be done in 2005.
Last year, ASUSU agreed to a one-time Academic Support Fund from Tier II Tuition projected moneys of $1.4 million to help with the migration of the student system of SCT Banner.
Celestial Bybee, ASUSU president during this decision process, said, “The Banner implementation process needs to begin as soon as possible and we as students understand the ramifications of the system that we have in place. It is a benefit to the whole university including students … It’s our buy-in, in the effort to better our university through the system it operates on.”
Weaver said the actual license to install SCT Banner was authorized by the Utah Legislature and purchased by the state of Utah. The Board of Trustees approved a total of $6.5 million over the next five years to be applied to the Banner project. These costs are associated with implementation, operation and training for Banner.
Currently, the Banner project and USU are participating in the high-level Finance Business Process Analysis.
Weaver said the Business Process Analysis (BPA) gives each unit a chance to examine its business processes and then determine “best practices” for improvement. This also provides the university an opportunity to use human and fiscal resources better.
Dennis Paffrath, director of Sponsored Programs, has been highly involved in a recent BPA.
“It was very useful,” Paffrath said. “It brings to light some of the changes that have to occur and helps us recognize things we are doing currently that could be combined or made more efficient.”
The BPA gives USU a chance to know which processes to hold on to and which are out of date, said Barbara White, vice president for Information Technology Services and chief information officer.
“Here’s a chance before we implement the system to clearly know what we do well, what is not necessary and what is unique to Utah State University,” White said. “However, we recognize there will be changes in the way we do business to meet the needs of a 21st century higher education institution.”
She said this relates directly to one of President Kermit L. Hall’s goals, which is to adopt new business models that embrace accountability, responsiveness, and efficiency, and a budget process that is responsive to university goals.
“We are currently on time and on budget,” Weaver said.
Those who want to know more about the Banner project can go to www.usu.edu/banner.
-dhegsted@cc.usu.edu