[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/student portal.jpg” caption=”The McMaster Student Portal will provide single sign-on access to MUGSI, grades, timetables, e-mail, WebCT and more. Image courtesy of John Alley”]McMaster is launching a new student portal that will feature single sign-on access to MUGSI, grades, timetables, e-mail, WebCT and more. The McMaster Student Portal will be available in late spring, but it needs a name.

All registered students are invited to complete a survey to vote for their favourite name. The survey is available here and can be completed any time before Wednesday, March 7 at 4:30 p.m.

Registered students who complete the survey can enter a draw for one of two prizes: an iPod or a $100 gift certificate from Titles (only one entry per person).

A portal is a website that provides content and online services and can be configured by the user to deliver their preferred content and services.

The portal is being developed by a team in University Technology Services and is led by Student Affairs and the Registrar's Office with funding from Refining Directions, the Technology Fund and student fees.

The portal team has developed most of the functionality and has enlisted the help of students in selected classes to test the usability with good reports so far.

The next stages involve implementing the production hardware and ensuring that it can provide acceptable response times. The portal is expected to be available in late spring and will operate in parallel with existing systems until performance is proven.

For more information about the portal or the survey, please contact John Alley, project manager, at alleyj@mcmaster.ca.