New software system readied for onslaught
of registration
by Rawly Bransom, Sports Editor

   Students going to their computers to register for spring classes will find a surprise waiting for them.
   The spring semester starts Jan. 20 with registration beginning Nov. 11 and ending Jan. 17.
   The surprise comes from the online system being used for registration.
   The system is called Colleague, a product of Datatel, and is already being used for online courses.
   TCC had several systems to choose from, but only a sparse few could meet the needs of a college as complex as TCC with its four campuses.
   Approximately two and a half years ago, TCC purchased the Colleague system from the Datatel Corporation.
   Colleague was chosen over all the other systems for two major reasons. One, Colleague has already been implemented in several other Texas two-year-schools allowing TCC to share data with these schools.
   Second, clout with the vendor will allow for further development of its system to meet Texas-specific needs, such as mandated programs and testing.
   The college finally started using Colleague in August 2001. Many faculty, staff and administrators have been involved in the startup of Colleague.
   One of the first programs for conversion to Colleague was the Financial Aid System with the last being the Distance Learning System.
   Thousands of man-hours have been used in the process of changing over the old files to the new Datatel system.
   “Conversion of data has been particularly problematic because data in Colleague is organized much differently than in our current system,” Dr. Cathie Jackson, director of admissions and records for TCC.
   “EASI (our old system) will no longer exist. All registration will look and respond differently,” she said.
   TCC faculty and staff are aware that problems will probably arise while using the new system..
   Registration will be open only Tuesday through Saturday. Students will not be allowed to register Sundays and Mondays.
   Because Colleague is a sophisticated system, the District believes Internet users will require more time to download and use the new system.
   “It is probable that new applicants will no longer be able to register within a few minutes after applying for admissions; in fact, it may be 24 to 48 hours after they submit their applications before processing can be ready for their registration activities,” Jackson said.
    Longer processing times may also mean a slower response time for anyone using the new system. Students are often frustrated at not being able to register during peak times.
   Longer download times may make it harder for students to even be able to register, Jackson said.
   “Our greatest concern is that we don’t at this time know whether the new system will improve or greatly diminish system response time,” she said. “Even with our old system, we’ve experienced system gluts resulting from slow response time during peak registration periods.”
   Colleague will, however, create advantages for students. Degree plans will be available online for students to access.    Students can match their degree plan with their records and determine what courses they need to take. This task was once available only by going to a counseling center and waiting for an advisor or counselor.
   Students and the administration will also have e-mail contact via the new system.
   The administration can send out newsletters, mass mailings or even direct letters to students. This feature will help keep students informed of events they might normally miss.
   The administration assures students that any problems that occur early with the Colleague system, whether it is glitches or human error, will be solved by fall 2004.
   “Over time as we become more adept at using the system, new solutions will emerge, but it is likely that spring registration activities will be slower than we’ve been used to,” Jackson said.