EDUCAUSE is a nonprofit association whose mission is to advance higher education by promoting the intelligent use of information technology. Membership is open to institutions of higher education, corporations serving the higher education information technology market, and other related associations and organizations.
EDUCAUSE has formulated a Guide to Evaluating Information Technology on Campus. It is designed to help you ask the right questions to match your educational and social needs and financial capabilities with the resources available at the colleges and universities on your "short" list. In a knowledge-driven era, higher education is essential and information technologies, resources, and services will enrich your educational experience.
We duplicate the 4 sections of that guide here with answers:
Administrative Experience
All students need to spend some portion of their time conducting the transactional business of their college experience, such as registering for classes, dropping and adding courses, applying for and paying for student loans, purchasing books, and so forth. Services can be mediated over networks to make these processes easier and avoid lengthy lines which historically characterized all too many campus experiences.
What information about admission and financial aid is available online, and can necessary forms be submitted electronically?
Both Admissions and Financial Aid have their own dedicated websites.
Prospective students are able to apply online. They can also watch a class in RealVideo, browse the college catalog, get a virtual tour of campus, or have email correspondence with a current first-year student or an alum.
There are 2 financial aid forms that can be submitted online: the CSS Profile and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. We have links to the sites for both of these forms.
Is the college catalogue, including important campus policies, available on the Web?
Yes, we have the online catalog, which contains general information as well as course offerings. Most of our campus policies are online, including the Honor System, Security Regulations, and Housing Regulations.
Can a student access her personal student information/data online?
Yes, students can check their personal information (address, phone number) online, as well as their academic schedules. See next question for more about SELFREG and the PeopleSoft transition.
Can a student find out his grades online or by phone at the end of a semester?
Yes. The college uses PeopleSoft Student Administration software, with which students register for classes, view their schedule, and also display grades at the end of the semester through secure web-based transactions.
Is registration, including dropping and adding courses, processed electronically?
Yes. PeopleSoft Student Administration is our current program for self registration. It allows students to drop and add courses electronically and instantly. It will also display any holds on registration that the student has not yet resolved. See previous question.
Can students pay bills, receive loans, make campus bookstore purchases using online procedures?
Not at this time.
What campus and community services are covered by "smart cards" or "debit cards"?
The Williams College ID card doubles as a card upon which cash credit can be placed. The cash credit can be used at vending machines and washer/dryers on campus. The card will allow building/dorm access and also contains a student's dining hall meal plan and any snack bar points.
What student information does the campus provide routinely to parents?
Parents can access standard directory information through the Williams web, or by contacting the Registrar.
