WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — OnePurdue began releasing its fourth and final major software package on July 7, reaching a milestone in a project that began more than three years ago.
Gary Newsom holds a sign celebrating the fourth and final software release and go-live date of the new Banner system at Purdue University.
Purdue North Central also is releasing Banner, although its implementation schedule and functionality is slightly different than that at West Lafayette.
The University is using Banner to prepare for the fall 2008 semester. All faculty and students will access it through the new myPurdue Internet portal beginning July 21.
Among its numerous features, the faculty will be able to post grades online and assign plus/minus grades, and students will have the ability to drop and add classes — and register for them online — from any computer, day and night.
“These new systems will allow our students to manage a variety of data with just a click of a mouse,” said Provost Randy Woodson at a June 10 ceremony commemorating the software launch. “Banner is already making it easier for students receiving financial aid.”
Several University leaders from both West Lafayette and North Central spoke at the event, including Woodson; Morgan R. Olsen, executive vice president and treasurer; Pam Horne, dean of admissions; North Central Chancellor James Dworkin; and Tom Robinson, vice president for student services.
OnePurdue Executive Director Gary Newsom emphasized that though one chapter of the project is closing, work will continue on an ongoing basis to continually improve the new systems.
“There is no finish line,” Newsom said. “We have laid a good foundation, and now will continue to build on it to make sure that OnePurdue remains a cutting-edge system that evolves with Purdue and meets its needs.”
