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Welcome to newSRSnews Issue 1! You asked for more information on the new Student Records System, and in response this is the first issue of a newsletter to keep you up-to-date on the latest reports, training news, and what the newSRS can do for you. Please visit our constantly updated web-site, with its on-line glossary and much more. In this first issue we would like to share the results from the needs assessment survey conducted in December 1997. To find out more: wwwnews.sis.utoronto.ca is our web site. We would really appreciate feedback: [log in to unmask] The Survey Says... In order to make this fall's transition to the newSRS as smooth as is humanly (and computerly) possible, a Needs Assessment Survey was conducted. The approximately 650 people who will be using the newSRS were asked to give feedback on their needs, concerns and questions regarding the new system. With this update, we would like to share the survey results. We would also like to thank the users for their outstanding level of participation. Over sixty percent of the users responded, taking the time to write out thoughtful and very helpful comments. As the hundreds of surveys came in, responses, of course, ranged from eager excitement about getting new technology to mortal terror (about getting new technology). For the most part, however, there were three things that everybody seemed to want to know: "Will the new system allow me to do all of the department or division-specific things that I need to do? Will you (please! please!) make sure that the training is well-planned and effective? And will the implementation and training schedules take into account when my busiest times are, and the importance, to me, of remaining a relatively sane human being?" The survey responses show that the users of the system simply want to feel confident that the newSRS can handle their needs and that the transition will inflict upon them the minimum amount of pain. This newsletter, the newSRS news web site and the Information Advisories have been set up in the belief that the more the users know about the process of planning the new system and the process of planning the transition, the better they will feel about it all. The teams working on modifying this system--which is running successfully at the University of Ottawa--to the specific needs of U of T, in all its diversity, are composed not just of SIS and contract developers, but of real U of T users drawn from divisions across the university. Additional users from the divisions participate in the work of these teams by testing portions of the system and providing feedback. The survey confirmed as well that no matter how good the new system is, excellent training is absolutely crucial. The Project Team has, for this reason, begun planning of the training process well in advance. The feedback indicates that users want hands-on training, with lots of real examples; they want to be trained with their specific needs in mind; they want comprehensive user's guides (with frequently asked questions) and quick reference sheets; they want excellent indexing, and simple, clear language, with no more jargon than is necessary. Timing, as in all things, will also be very important. Training should be timed carefully (not months and months before it can be applied) and spread out (e.g. half days rather than full) in order to prevent disruption of workflow. In the same vein, many people wondered if the system itself would come on line at a carefully chosen time. The answer is yes (part on Oct 19, part on Nov 30, and the last bit in January 1999). More information on the timing can be found on the newSRS news web site, as can other frequently asked questions, like "Will I need new hardware?" (The answer: probably not.) Thank you again for your participation. It will, without a doubt, make the transition a smoother one.