SMAART project update

The SMAART Project (Systems for McMaster Academic Administration & Research
Technology) is proceeding on schedule.

The project's steering committee thanks the hundreds of people from across campus
who have played important roles in advancing the project, whether participating in a
vendor demonstration or participating in a key advisory committee.

In December, several hundred people from across campus took part in public
demonstrations given by two selected companies. After these demonstrations, the
project steering committee asked both competing vendors to return in late January and
early February to present more focused presentations to the project's advisory
committees.

Next steps will include contract negotiations with the preferred vendor. It is anticipated
these negotiations will continue through the end of May with an announcement and
launch of the campus-wide systems renewal in early Fall.

This is an exciting time as everyone looks forward to improved information systems
throughout the university.