September 28, 2016
Spring 2016 registration
Course offerings for spring 2016 opens for viewing today. The schedule of course offerings can be accessed from the Registrar's Office website and using the Course Offering link in GoWMU. Registration opens on Monday, Oct. 12.
Security re-authorization
The semi-annual security re-authorization is scheduled to begin this week. The security re-authorization process allows us to audit access to critical computer systems used at WMU and to ensure that users are familiar with the latest policies. On October 1, all users and their supervisors will receive an email notifying them that re-authorization has started. The email will include instructions on how to complete the electronic re-authorization process. People Soft and Hobsons Apply Yourself are being added to the re-authorization process this year. Re-authorization will also cover Banner, Cognos, Degree Works and ImageNow systems. Fall re-authorization will run through October 15th.
Did you know?
1,661 employees have access to one or more of the systems mentioned above and will need to complete the security re-authorization process this fall.
Academic room reservations
Academic room scheduling will now be taking requests for annual and special events online through the Registrar's Office website. All reservations by departments must be made through the Classroom Reservation Request form.
RSO event reservation requests will still be handled separately and will not be affected by this change. Additional information about reservations can be found on the Registrar's Office website.
Proxy Access
The current Authorized User solution that provides the ability for students to grant third party access to academic and financial aid information will no longer be supported by TouchNet. TouchNet will continue to provide the option for students to authorize access to view their account information and to make payments, but TouchNet plans to discontinue the WMU modification that allows students the ability to grant access to academic and financial aid information.
We believe that it is important to provide students with a way to grant access to academic and financial aid information that is in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). As such, last week we launched an alternative solution called Proxy Access. Proxy Access is similar to Authorized User access in that students can establish in GoWMU who they would like to grant access to certain information.
In addition to the items available as part of the existing authorized user process, students will now be able to grant access to their Degree Works worksheet. This provides the opportunity for parents or other third party users to track a student's progress toward graduation and to view advice and comments that have been entered in the Degree Works "notes" section. Besides Degree Works, students will be able to grant access to:
- Enrollment Verification
- Midterm Grades
- Final Grades
- Concise Student Schedule
- Schedule of Classes
- Unofficial Transcript
- Financial Aid Requirements
- Financial Aid Award for Aid Year
- Financial Aid Payment Schedule
Academic and financial aid information will continue to be available through the TouchNet Authorized User process until December 1. During the next few months we will be assisting existing authorized users with the transition to the new Proxy Access system. Going forward, users will need to maintain two accounts; one for WMU billing and payment and one for academic and financial aid information.
Additional information on Proxy Access, as well as instructions on how students can grant access, can be found on the Registrar's Office website.
Upcoming dates
- Monday, Sept. 28—Spring 2016 course offerings open for viewing
- Friday, Oct. 2—Last day to receive 50% refund for a complete withdrawal
- Wednesday, Oct. 28—Last day to receive 25% refund for a complete withdrawal
- Monday, Nov. 9—Last day to withdraw from classes
- Wednesday, Nov. 25—Thanksgiving recess begins at noon
- Monday, Nov. 30—Classes resume
- Dec. 14 - 18—Final exam week
- Saturday, Dec. 19—Semester ends; Commencement
- Tuesday, Dec. 22—Final grades due by noon