Remodeled e-campus receives mixed reviews

JMU's new e-campus is "still being tweaked," but eventually will be available 24 hours a day, according to Robin Bryan, executive director for Information Systems.

The old system was down each night between 12 and 7 a.m., but Bryan hopes to fix this problem as soon as possible.

The new e-campus was launched Dec. 23, 2003, and has been down each night from 12 to 2 a.m.

"So far, we've had some negative comments from those using the system, but mostly positive comments," Bryan said.

Bryan said students complained about the left-hand side menus on the old version of e-campus and the difficulty navigating pages with them.

"Everyone hated the numerous log-in pages, and the new e-campus only has one," he added.

Bryan said no students showed up to the information sessions that were held, however, a few faculty members did come.

The new e-campus offers a live degree progress report and constantly is refreshed, which is different from the older version, which was only refreshed three times a semester.

Bryan said they are very interested in what the students want to see next or any additional changes to e-campus.

"We really wanted to give you everything you had before, but in a new technology," he said.

However, students say they are frustrated with the changes and are having a difficult time adjusting to the new system.

"It's very disorganized and not user friendly," sophomore Britt Timmerman said. "They should consent with the student body with a bulk e-mail asking their opinions before they change things."

Timmerman said she wishes there was a direct link to add or drop a class.

"There is no direct way to add a class from the course search site," she said.

Other students feel the changes were helpful.

"Being a transfer student, I never had a chance to get used to the old e-campus, and the new one is very helpful," junior Sara Ayres said. "I think it has improved very much from the old one and I can find everything I need."

Dale Hulvey, assistant vice president of Information Technology, said they have received very few calls to their help desk requesting assistance with the new system.

"We think things are going well," Hulvey said. "Anytime there is change, adjustment is needed."

Hulvey said the new system offers e-mail addresses of students to faculty with their class rosters.

The new system also doesn't make you select the term via user preferences as the old system did.

"We are excited about the new system and the features it offers to JMU. The system is completely Web based and prepares us well for the future," Hulvey said.