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Banner Issues and Suggestions

 
The Following table compiles the suggestions/issues generated during Fall 2009 priority registration and the progress made in addressing them.

 

LEGEND    
need to get input from others    
currently available in Banner or in-progress (training issue??)    
this is a calculated field needed for the National Student Loan Clearinghouse    
possibly do-able, just need to investigate what impact it would have    
subcommittee determined this is not a valid concern -- not a Banner issue    
not possible with current Banner version    
comments from Jayne Tang in the computer center    
CONCERN OC-
CURR-
ENCES
 
 
Timed out - This is a security issue, in particular for students registering in computer labs.  There is no good solution to this problem. 4 Checked with Dave Alexander and the default timeout is 30 minutes for INB and 15 for self-service.  Could add pop-up warning for self-service when timeout is about to happen
As students are looking for classes to fulfill core requirements have we given any thought to setting up a Core Course section in banner where we could display all courses that could be taken to complete each core category?  Currently we display this group of courses on page 7 of the printed semester schedules.   As students rely more on Banner than on the printed version having a reference list of the Core displayed could be helpful.   Can search by attribute (Mathematics, Ethics, Synthesis, or any other UCC category.   COMPLETE
Banner Training  Jennifer Briggs will develop training schedule after Banner upgrade in mid-February 2 in-progress
Currently, an emphasis does not show on the transcripts.  Liberal Arts has several majors that require a student to declare an emphasis, but there is no indication of the emphasis on the student’s transcripts.  English has three emphasis, Public Relations and Advertising has two.  A student can declare Pre-Law emphasis with a Political Science major.  Art has five emphasis.  All the foreign language majors can declare a Language and International Trade emphasis, which requires 43 additional courses, but the emphasis is not shown on the transcripts.   Possible to do in Banner, just need to consult with "powers that be" for approval.
I would like to see us being able to connect the Accuplacer program and the Foreign Language Webcape program to Banner so that when students are finished with their placement test, the scores will go directly into Banner.  That way we can have the results much quicker.  Currently, the scores are entered manually.   Not addressed-this group thought it was a non-issue
We have a class that is required in three different majors and consequently has different pre-req lists.  Entry in this class always requires an override for students of two of the majors because  Banner can’t separate.  (PED 394 has a pre-requisite of all 200 level classes in the major.  PED 394 is required for PE Teaching majors, Exercise science majors, and Kinesiology majors.  However the list of 200 level classes required in the different majors are different; the list is longer for the students in the PE Teaching major.  So, every  EXSC or KIN student who needs to take PED 394 needs an override.)   checked with action line and they confirmed that unfortunately there is no way at this time to use student major in prereqs.  We took a look at ways to build CAPP Prereqs and are not seeing a way to have different prereqs dependent on a student's major. Student attributes can be used on SMAAREA but doing that would do the opposite of what you want. It would cause everyone without that major to fail the prereq. At this time, it seems you are doing the best you can.
 
Also, can’t the Hold Screen (SOAHOLD) use the same ID and password?  Getting in and out of it each time, with the timeout issue is challenging! 1 of 4
HOLDS
testing process to use same type of security as was recently added to SFASRPO (override screen).
I would like to be able to access the Hold screen in the same area as overrides, etc. I realize that access to this is limited, but the system is already capable of limiting access to screens on an as needed basis.  2 of 4
HOLDS
testing process to use same type of security as was recently added to SFASRPO (override screen).
It is really inconvenient to have to log into Banner two different times to do holds and then to do our regular overrides, scheduling etc… it would be much better to be able to log in only once.  I have issues with logging in.  I pull up Banner and it won’t pull up the sign in screen so I close out, then open again.  Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t….then I have to totally reboot my computer and it is such a waste of time 3 of 4
HOLDS
This was a university policy decision.  If we set holds by individual IDs, only that person can remove the hold….unless we do not check mark the Release box….and then ANYONE can remove the hold.  USI policy was that only people from the dept that put on the hold could remove the hold.
While I’m certain this is not the first time this has been suggested, it would really be helpful if you did not have to log in two different times to access Hold removal and overrides, etc. 4 of 4
HOLDS
testing process to use same type of security as was recently added to SFASRPO (override screen).
Since I assist MBA students, it would be nice to have a Hold Option to be directed more towards graduate students i.e. instead of a ‘Major Hold - must see advisor’, either make that statement more generic without ‘… must see advisor’ verbiage or add MBA Hold and I’ll be able to write a brief description what it’s about and such. Could create MBA hold w/contact info in the description.  Since these holds would not be set via batch, it would not complicate the batch hold process as the item above. HOLDS COMPLETE
It would be nice to either extend the spacing for ‘Reason’ or have a separate place for notes on the Behold Banner -- “SOAHOLD” Hold Information, so that whoever is placing a hold may be able to write in brief a message to a student, since he/she is able to view that information via MyUSI. In addition to that, it would be nice to have an auto insert with contact info (phone or e-mail) for specific hold. For example, College of Business Hold - provide Christy’s e-mail or phone number for undergrad students; for Immunization hold -- provide USI Student Immunization Office, etc. Not possible to extend the "Reason" field on SOAHOLD.  We give contact info when possible (like Immunization) but for those holds that ALL colleges use, we can't customize them without creating separate hold codes for each college which would further complicate the batch hold process. HOLDS May be able to use Supplemental Data Entry (SDE) which allows for more room to enter comments.  Caution:  cannot show comments on reports at this point.
There needs to be an area, maybe on the hold area, where memos can be made.  SIS had a large area on the hold screen so notes could me made-reasons for the hold and what the student must to-not just a small limited area we have now.   May be able to use Supplemental Data Entry (SDE) which allows for more room to enter comments.  Caution:  cannot show comments on reports at this point.
The Registrar office has the ability to print a Degree Audit from the SZADARO screen in Native Banner, but no one else can.  The ability to print from that screen would be helpful.  Requires Banner defined printer -- will work in new DARWin version DARS (2) COMPLETE
It sure would be helpful to see students declared minors in their DARS.  Working with computer center on this. DARS in-progress
Can we do a “what if” in a Native Banner Audit Request?  (specifically helpful when  needing to check a catalog year) currently available DARS COMPLETE
DARS is showing a different cum GPA than the transcript ran through MyUSI on some students, for example students who have course repeats not completed yet.  This leads to major confusion when a certain GPA is required to enter a program, a pre-requisite, etc.  Adding explanation to degree audit why GPA, hours, etc. might differ from Banner (course repeats, etc.) DARS in-progress
Dars coordinate with student ID:
Advisors and others complain that when they are in self-service and looking at a student’s record but then need to run an audit that they have to re-enter the student ID in order to run the audit.  They think once a student’s ID has been entered or found they should be able to run an audit without having to re-enter the ID.  They often don’t remember the ID or feel it’s a burden to have to write it down only to re-enter it for an audit.
DARS (2)  => Item 1 currently testing way to "auto-fill" student ID into field when running an audit (or remove that screen from the process)
One thing that would be useful is to be able to keep a student DARS open and at the same time look up for classes in another window. What I think would be best is to be able to keep the window with the Faculty Services menu open at all times and to have each item on that menu open in a new window, so that one does not have to go back and forth. The items that are usually necessary when advising a student are the DARS,  look up classes, view test scores, and view holds.  DARS
=> Item 2
also see answer for Item 1
Per Carty Ellis at DARS action line: It relates to Banner Self Service, and may be a Banner Self Service Issue relating to pop-up windows.
 
It would be nice to be able to see transfer credits (specific courses) on the transcript page, instead of having to do a DARS. DARS
=> Item 3
Still investigating how to resolve this.
What would really be helpful for me is a permanent menu on the left side of the screen.  I often have to skip around in the system when meeting with a student (switching between DARs, course schedule, holds, test scores, etc.). The “Main Menu” link doesn’t always work – I often get a “not eligible for this user” message, which means I have to go back to the site map and get in again.  This happens so frequently that I simply have given up and gone to using the “Site Map” link all the time to get from one place to another.     RESOLVED-user didn't know they could navigate back to main menu by using the tabs at the top of the screen.
Did I ask if students cell phone numbers could be posted with their student information?  When we need to reach them it’s usually for something needed quickly and many times home numbers are posted, parents aren’t home, we can’t leave messages or give them information and when they call back and they all seem to think their children were part of a massacre or something and we’re trying to hide it from them!   Jim could add this to the new self-service roster, but Wayne does not approve.
 Wayne said that students do not want to receive this type of phone calls on their cell phone.
  We don't know what kind of "phone plan" they have and they could be charged per minute.
When I open self service on MyUSI to view the choices , the window that includes “faculty and advisors” is always minimized—is it me or is it me?  It’s probably me but is there something I can do to keep that maximized?  Thanks.   checked with Jim Jones and he said "I don't think there is a way to fix this.  If you use firefox or chrome, the window opens in a new tab and is not minimized.   Does the same thing happen from the Start page?  If not, use that." 
Each screen should have a “go to” option so you can type in the screen you wish to go to without exiting the current screen to get to the “go to” prompt.   From any form you can click on "File" (upper left corner) which will cause a box to pop-up and at the bottom you can see a list of recently visited screens (during the same login period), then simply click on the form you need and you will be taken to that form without having to go back to the main menu and typing in the form name in the "go" box.   COMPLETE
I’d like to see the Masters transcripts through Soapcol or Saaadms or both, but not either/or as it seems to be now.  Also, we use Peggy Herrell’s signatuare page as part of the requirement for acceptance into the MSN program.  Can that be posted with the transcritps? Switching from program to program seems like unnecessary work.   COMPLETE-Graduate Studies has recently begun document imaging to Xtender (Banner product) rather than Blackboard.  This allows users to view documents while in their Banner session and not switching back and forth between Banner and Blackboard.
I wish there was some way to make Banner load faster.  Sometimes it seems to take forever to come up.   checked with Dave Alexander because I had not experienced or heard of this.
 He suggested that if we know who this is happening to, we could check their computer.  It may be outdated…in other words, it may be caused by the speed of the machine and/or possibly infected by viruses.
Would it be best to omit the Projected Graduation dates on Banner since they are usually off by 2 or 3 years?   COMPLETE-This data is calculated based on the student's degree (BS, AS, MS) and the set to 6 or 3 years out.  This data is used for the National Student Loan Clearinghouse processing
Notice of updates/changes to system should come to us as soon as they are made. It is very frustrating to try to get something done only to find out that it has changed. Working on creating email listing or web page where we can post Banner updates/tips/hints, etc.   in-progress
The latest instructions and a list of screen names would be helpful. My last handouts are from the very first meetings when the system was started, about 5 years ago.  Working on updating "cheat sheets"   COMPLETE
When we had the old SIS program, when pre-registration was about to start, the registrar’s sent out a cheat sheet of how to do your job… like directions to doing overrides and such.  I know how to do all these things, but there are a lot of new people on campus that could benefit from these cheat sheets.  This would also be helpful during scheduling and even for purchasing.  Most everything has had updates multiple times and we have not received new cheat sheets, or even have been told that things had changed or been updated.  Working on updating these sheets and posting info to website   COMPLETE
the New Class Lists available through MyUSI (which is pulled from Banner), it would be helpful to be able to pull in student phone numbers.  Sometimes it is necessary to contact students by another method along with email.  Already available through customizable class list.   COMPLETE
 be able to discern between a CO-requisite and PRE-requisite  Already available through self-service.  After finding class through "Look Up Classes" feature, click on course reference number (CRN) to see co-reqs or click on title to see pre-reqs.  Will add this to "cheat sheet"/website with screen captures   COMPLETE
be able to check TRANSFER credit for pre-requisites  Banner currently checks transfer work for pre-requisites.  Students transferring in a degree have not had a course-by-course evaluation but this will change for students who matriculate beginning Summer 2010.   in-progress
be able to make a “test” schedule; adding courses and listing only courses that do not overlap as “test” schedule is built up   not currently possible
A second thing that would be really helpful is if the “Look up Classes” link was on the same menu as the student information – all of which should be a permanent menu on the left side of the screen.   RESOLVED-user didn't know they could navigate back to main menu by using the tabs at the top of the screen.
By the way, I noticed that other institutions have a form of Banner open to the public to search for classes.  It has the same appearance as the class search for Banner, but in addition to locating courses, it provides the course description from the catalogue.  Working with computer center to make class searches available through means other than MyUSI.  Course descriptions not currently in Banner but could be added by colleges.   RESOLVED - link added to Registrar website
We need a way to pull up all open classes.
 
  I asked the action line and they said that on SOATERM, Web Processing controls there  is the option under Search Schedule Controls to Display Closed Sections. When this is checked closed sections will display and when it is not checked, they will not display.   ** I don't know if this would be okay for USI.  Would it be confusing to not see the closed classes?  Would students think the classes are missing from the schedule?
The default term selection should be the current term.   The drop down "select term" box reflects terms which have registration activity.  So in the fall before we have spring/summer priority registration, the fall term (which would be the current term in this example) would be the default term in self-service.  However, after the November spring and summer registrations take place...summer term would become the new default because the terms are listed in descending order.
When I look up contact information in Banner, the mailing address, phone, and e-mail are not always up-to-date. How can we make sure that the information is more accurate and dependable? When it is updated, it would be great to make it clear which address is the most updated one and which are old.  The information is only as up-to-date as students keep it.  We remind students in the printed schedule that it is their responsibility to notify the university of any/all address changes.  "Active" addresses on Banner do not have an "end date" and/or do not have the "Inactive" box checked.    
In the SFASRPO (Student Permits and Overrides), it would be nice to have a place for notes, so we can indicate why the override is done. This would be helpful to us, since we have more than one person doing overrides for classes, which makes it hard to remember why the override was done or to catch mistakes (when override should not have been done).    May be able to use SDE (see above)
When we have transfer students, for some of them, we have to do a prerequisite override(s) every semester because Banner doesn’t recognize courses transferred from another university. It would be wonderful to come up with a way where Banner can search student’s record and determine course equivalence, therefore, granting student admission to the class. At times, we have a student who needs an override over and over because he/she took a very common course - a prerequisite for most of our courses - i.e. Math 111, so we end up doing overrides for almost every business course, which can be frustrating to students and the staff/faculty. Only students who transfer to USI with a degree do not currently get a course-by-course evaluation of transfer work (just a "block" of hours added to their transcript).  When a course-by-course evaluation is not done, Banner cannot determine if a student has completed the necessary pre-reqs.  Beginning in Summer 2010, students who matriculate and have transferred in a degree will have a course-by-course evaluation done during their first term at USI (prior to next semester Priority Registration).   in-progress
a tag or note on courses that have pre-requisites.  My advisees are often stymied by the “Pre-req-Test score error” note, especially if they have transferred the appropriate pre-requisites from another college.  All courses with pre-reqs have such listed on MyUSI.  After doing a "Look Up Classes", click on CRN, and then on course title to see pre-reqs.  Pre-reqs are also listed in the Bulletin.   COMPLETE
One of the reasons that I use Banner is to look up student schedules to schedule student conduct meetings. I would like to see all of the students classes fit onto one screen rather than having to scroll up and down to see all of the courses they are in.  All courses should appear on one screen when selecting the "Concise" student schedule.   COMPLETE

 

Banner issues email to the Senate Banner ad hoc committee.

 

Advising Sessions:

Include student ID #s on screens (no need for advisors ID #)

Have DARS open for current student ID (remove need to resubmit ID#)

Include Transfer Credit and Course equivalences on student transcript

Include Student Rank and Major on Summary Classlists

Institute a waitllist for closed classes


Include room capacity as well as enrollment cap

On the screen for student email addresses, include hyperlink to automatically open a blank email message similar to what is used on the faculty summary class lists.

Have access to input a social security number to find a student.  The state of Indiana processes teacher licenses by a person’s social security number. For example, when we receive an application for a license, it’s difficult to match a former student if they have changed their name.

Banner screens stay active for a longer period of time

Course Management:

Excel Portability

Keep student who withdraw during the semester on classlists showing a withdrawal (W) and date of withdrawal
 

 
Administrative Activities:

·         On the pre-req checking,  possible modification to the Banner report currently generated (e.g., addition of course section number, student email address, formatting as a CSV, comma delimited document – to allow opening/sorting/filtering in Excel, or obtaining the same information through COGNOS)

·     Authorization to allow advisors to permit students to enroll in more than 18 hours,   similar to the CLOSED, PREREQ, LIMIT, etc. authorizations

         Turn off or extend the amount of inactivity time before Banner kicks/times you out

Students who are unsuccessful in completing a Pre-Requisite, generate a notification to the student that they will be dis-enrolled in subsequent courses requiring that pre-requisite
 

 I use the Banner class scheduling screens and the budget screens, particularly creating  requisitions.  The biggest problem I have is navigating through the series of screens in each application, since I don’t use them all the time.  With scheduling, it is a bit easier, since that process has a limited access and is only used at certain times.  The budget screens are very confusing for me and I feel like I have to learn the whole process again each time I use it.  There are so many different screens and it is difficult to remember which ones have the necessary information.