Students to find easier times online starting next term

This December, Portland State is introducing a more streamlined online account management system that will allow students access to the university’s online components–everything from webmail to student account services-using one account login.

The management system, OAM, is essentially designed to tie all existing student account programs together, said project manager Janaka Jayawardena.

Currently, students that have been accepted to PSU receive an ID number used to log in to the university’s current account system, Banweb, Jayawardena said. Students then have to register their ID number with Banweb in order to sign up for classes, and must register an ODIN account after that in order to access services such as webmail, she said.

Another registration is required if the student is taking an online class, Jayawardena said.

Under the new system, a student’s OAM account information would be used to set up all the necessary student accounts at once, without having to take their information to the Office of Information Technologies in Smith Memorial Student Union, a current requirement for students.

In addition to routing student information into the student account server, the system will also allow students access to the PSU Wi-Fi network, the student directory, and the university’s e-mail system, which will also receive a small makeover in the software rollout, Jayawardena said.

Once a student has their new account set up, they will have the option to choose which e-mail address they prefer to have university communication sent to, instead of being forced to use the current pdx.edu webmail, she said.

In addition to the OAM system, PSU is also implementing an organizational page, Luminis, in order to help students use their university accounts more efficiently, Blanton said. The page will utilize tabs on that link to PSU’s library information system, tuition payment options for student accounts, and direct links to student account information, she said.

The page will also post information such as university announcements, said project manager Sharon Blanton.

Though Luminis will initially be available to currently enrolled students, access to the service will grow, said Blanton.

“Eventually we will have access for staff, alumni, and even prospective students,” Blanton said in a meeting Thursday about OAM and Luminis.

Under the new system, students logging in to OAM will be presented with a somewhat customizable homepage, Blanton said.

The central page will house informational segments that students can minimize or expand without changing windows, she said. That means students will be able to look at files for classes, pay for classes or check dates for important events through an interactive calendar through one window, Blanton said.

Other functionality scheduled to appear within Luminis includes a “groups” function, which will allow for greater communication between student groups and their members, Blanton said.

Blanton said Luminis will be a blend of MySpace’s user-friendly functionality and Yahoo!’s group pages. For example, student groups will have access to their own group calendar, an announcement/bulletin board system, and the option to add user photographs and profiles.

Project managers are anxious to get students switched over to both the new OAM system and Luminis as soon as they are completely integrated into PSU’s data infrastructure. Signup announcements for the new system are expected to be announced in December. Luminis is expected to launch in January.