 Benefits
Timeline
Preparing
for change
Methodology
To
learn more
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Program Link is a multi-year, campus-wide initiative launched in
fall 2003 to replace the Reynolda Campus administrative computing
systems with a fully integrated solution and enhance the University's
delivery of services and information to students, faculty, staff,
alumni, parents, and friends.
Visit this page, which will evolve over the life of Program Link,
for faculty-oriented information about Program Link.
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Benefits for Faculty
A fundamental goal of Program Link is to ensure the delivery
of outstanding services and information to Wake Forest faculty,
staff, and students.
Some of the changes that will most directly affect faculty are
the following:
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A more capable student records system. Through
installation of new hardware and software, Program Link will
implement a replacement for the existing student records system,
the origins of which predate the World Wide Web era. This new
system will be capable of handling registration transactions
more quickly, allowing registration to take place more quickly
than is the case now.
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Better integration of information. By moving
Wake Forest from a variety of discrete record systems to a model
focused on integration, Program Link will reduce inefficiencies
and inconveniences in data updates. For example, Program Link
will include the installation of an automated interface between
the course registration system and Blackboard; students' access
to course information in Blackboard will update automatically
as students add or drop courses through the online registration
process, eliminating the need for faculty to take special steps
to provide this access for late adds or drops.
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Expanded online benefits information and services. Wake
Forest's existing administrative systems, many of which pre-date
the Internet, create significant barriers for providing additional
online services. The implementation of Program Link will create
new opportunities to enhance the online services available
through WIN.
In short, implementation of this integrated system presents a
unique opportunity to make many improvements to benefit the Wake
Forest community. The University's staff and senior administrators
are committed to making the most of this
opportunity.
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Timeline
Program Link is an extensive initiative, and changes will take
place over the course of several years. The exact timeline is
evolving, but a projected timeline is available
here.
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Preparing for change
The launch of the new systems may involve changes in how faculty
access their information and conduct transactions with the University.
The Program Link team will provide information about these changes
in a variety of ways, depending on the significance of the change.
Information will be provided via this web site and through electronic
communications, training sessions, and/or
presentations to academic departments, as needed.
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Methodology
Each of Program Link's projects, and the overall Program Link
initiative, will use standard project management methodologies
as defined by the Project Management
Institute, the leading non-profit professional association
for project management. This methodology includes a number
of
measures to help ensure that projects are completed on time,
within budget, and with all functionality promised at the time
of the
project's launch. A Steering Committee
including faculty and adminstrative representatives will oversee
the activities of the Program
Leadership team to ensure that decisions are made in the
best interests of the University as a whole.
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To learn more
The Program Link team is happy to share more information with
faculty about this important initiative for Wake Forest. Feel
free to browse other portions of the Program
Link web site to learn more. In addition, Program Link representatives
will answer email questions, talk with you individually, or work
with you to schedule an appointment for a conversation with your
department, as schedules permit. Just email link@wfu.edu
to make your request. A member of the Program Link team will respond
within one business day of receiving your inquiry.
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