| J.A.S.I.
(Joint Administrative Software Initiative)
Step One in a Long Journey
It began as a collaborative effort that involved five community
colleges, (New Mexico Junior College, San Juan Community College,
Santa Fe Community College, Northern New Mexico Community College
and Clovis Community College) that went to the state and asked
for money to implement new administration software. Three colleges
have received money ($700,000 each) from the state for this upgrade.
They are Santa Fe Community College, Northern New Mexico Community
College and New Mexico Junior College. Clovis Community College
is looking to be a major player, too.
The colleges also went to the New Mexico Legislature for an additional
$400,000 in severance tax money. If they get that money, it brings
the total to $1.1 million, which will still not be enough needed
to implement the total package.
The current software is outdated, and the Computer Information
System department is not getting the technical support needed
to maintain the system. To make using the current configuration
more complicated, there will be no technical support after 2005.
“We have been forced to change,” said Bill Kunko,
Director of Computer Information Systems.
While this software does the same things that the old software
did, it also utilizes the Internet. This will allow students to
check their grades and register for classes online. Perhaps the
most exciting part of this package is that you can do advising
over the web. There will also be a different website for employees
where you can find out how much leave-time you have available
and get information on the different benefits that the college
offers.
Implementation of this software will be occurring very soon.
The college has completed meetings to iron out the stipulations
of the Product Definition Document (PDD) with Systems & Computer
Technology Corporation (SCT). Once NMJC has the PDD, it will take
two weeks to review it and make sure it is agreeable.
The reason this contract between NMJC and SCT is so important
is relatively simple. This contract will serve as a blueprint
for both institutions. If something should go wrong with the system,
both organizations will have that contract to look back on to
govern their next set of actions.
The period for the actual execution of this plan is three years.
“SCT will provide the personnel to help train and install
this software package; essentially the emphasis will be focused
on us. The technical people, as well as the people in the different
departments are all going to have to communicate and work together,
in order for this project to be successful,” said Kunko.
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