Think of it this way: Jenzabar is the vendor who supplies and supports the brand of data system the college is implementing. Jenzabar EX is the product that will, beginning next month, house and protect most of the college’s data. There are a variety of things it can then do with that data—accounting and human resources, for example, will be pretty involved in that work.
JICS is the “Jenzabar Internet Campus Solution” or portal. While some specialized staff and faculty will be going under the hood to engage with data in EX, most of us—including students—will be in the driver’s or passenger’s seat fiddling with the air conditioning, and occasionally gunning the engine. That is, most of us will be enjoying the power and engineering in place in EX, but from a comfortable distance. That place where you can appreciate the data, add to it and even edit it on occasion without knowing where the fan belts are? That’s the portal (the JICS product).
So what will I be able to do in the portal?
The portal will:
- allow students to see grade reports, schedule, emergency contacts, course schedules
- allow faculty members to see class rosters, enter grades
- faculty and staff will be able to access biographical data, addresses, budget reporting, course schedules
In the future, the plan is for the JICS portal to be used to process time cards electronically, deliver online pay stubs, provide real-time degree audits, offer financial aid and billing information, and replace the current paper versions of forms like the financial aid application.
When does the change occur?
In about a week. EX and the portal will be available to the campus next Monday (July 23).
What will I notice?
Datatel and Web Advisor will disappear. But besides that, maybe nothing—at first. As you’ll see in the project timeline, there will be validation work to be done once the switch is made. That could take several days. That said, the Jenzabar system in its place should allow you to access all of the same info you currently need (or, at least, are used to pulling from Datatel).
Who do I pat on the back?
Start with the module managers and IT staff members John Plachta and Sarah Meadus. These folks have been on the job almost nonstop this year. They deserve our thanks. And when you’re done, throw some kisses (of the Hershey variety, please) at Kelly Scott, the project manager overseeing all this work, and Megan Fitch, the project sponsor who has supported the project.
Also, a special shout-out to our WAICU colleagues, especially Bill Schultz and those at Ripon, Northland, and Cardinal Stritch, who have helped us along in this process.
Don’t panic
Everyone will have a learning curve to confront with this new system. As announced elsewhere on the Terrarium, there will be several opportunities to hear more about the system and how to use it.
If, however, you are the hands-on learning type, feel free to jump in (don’t worry, you can’t really break it). As you encounter issues or think of questions, just post those problems and questions here and Kelly Scott and her colleagues will post answers.