McMaster kick starts student portal project

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/student_portal.jpg” caption=”Of the 6,100 students who participated in a survey on the portal, two were selected to win an iPod and a gift certificate to Titles Bookstore. Pictured from left, are, Phil Wood, associate vice-president Student Affairs, congratulating third-year life sciences student Marina Spudic, the winner of the iPod and first-year nursing student Laura Maxwell, the winner of the gift certificate, congratulated by Lou Ariano, University registrar, and Sue Pennington, project manager, Student Portal Project. Photo credit: Chantall Van Raay”]McMaster University has begun an initiative to build a student portal, led by Student Affairs and the Registrar's Office. A portal is a website that provides content and online services and can be configured by the user to deliver their preferred content and service.
The McMaster Student Portal also will serve as a starting point for any information about the University. It will replace the current MUGSI system with a customizable personal page with access to a much greater range of services, including single sign-on to many services. A project team has been formed to start work on the project and a Request for Proposals to find a portal solution was submitted this week.
Recently, an online survey was completed by students to assist in obtaining feedback and suggestions about preferences among potential features to be included in the portal. In total, 6,100 students responded to the survey and the steering committee has taken those preferences to build a list of features and scope for the portal from the most sought after features. Students who participated in the survey were eligible for a draw for an iPod and a $100 gift certificate from Titles. Marina Spudic was the winner of the i-Pod and Laura Maxwell was the winner of the gift certificate.