Registrar’s Office embarks on a new way of doing business

COLUMBUS – Students and faculty who use The Ohio State University office of the Registrar will see changes in the near future that will reduce printing needs and incorporate a broader use of web-based services while reducing cost.

“This decision reflects the way business operations are changing,” said Brad Myers, university registrar. “It also demonstrates a direct link to the university’s Academic Plan to enhance the quality of our teaching and learning environments while providing the latest tools in technology.”

Students will see changes as soon as July 12. The online version of BRUTUS, a self-service system for course registration and records inquiries, will remain but the automated telephone option will be eliminated.

In addition, the number of printed master schedule and course offering bulletins will be reduced. However, incoming students will continue to receive the publications, as will bookstores and academic departments and colleges. The master schedule and course offerings bulletin will continue to be posted online and enhanced with additional search features. Long-term plans call for the paper version of the master schedule to be eliminated.

Faculty, many already using computers to communicate with the registrar’s office, will conduct most transactions online beginning fall quarter. Specific plans call for faculty to submit grades electronically. Class rosters, inherently out-dated once printed, and verification of grade rosters will also be accessible online.

One university official believes the move will take Ohio State to the next level.

“This transition will provide flexibility in addition to a number of services that people can use,” said Martha Garland, vice provost for academic affairs and dean of undergraduate studies. “The capacity we have to expand the operation increases dramatically with the elimination of paper processing. It’s a good thing and positions us as one of the institutions nationally taking such broad steps to incorporate these benefits.”

Ohio State is among several universities, including Oregon, Nebraska, Duke and Carnegie Mellon, that are moving away from telephone registration. Kansas, UCLA, Emory and Michigan State are part of a growing number of institutions that are limiting printed versions of master schedules.

The concept of reducing paper processing is not entirely new to Ohio State as it mirrors similar steps already taken by the offices of Student Financial Aid and the Treasurer.

Faculty and staff will be trained to use the online operations over the next several
months. Student workshops will be coordinated through the Office of Technology Enhanced Learning and Research. A help line and online tutorial will also be activated to assist faculty, staff and students.

“This is a multi-year process to move away from paper and toward fuller utilization of web technology,” Myers said. “We are excited about the opportunity and look forward to conducting business that results in improved services to the university and cost efficiency.”