Notes of CIS User Group Meeting held on 18th March 2003

 

Present

           

Tim Burton (TB) (Chair)

Dawn Fendell (DTF)

Pali Bains (PSB)

(RKH) (Notes)

Tim Baseley (TCB)

Lynne Hutchinson (LH)

Rosie Candy (RC)

Richard Lightowler (RL)

Siobhan Clarke (SC)

Sally Mason (SAM)

Nick Cope (NC)

Karen Newcombe (KN)

Jo Corlett (JC)

Jane Snape (JLS)

Lynn Dutton (LD)

Chris Spendlove (CS)

 

1.     Apologies for Absence

 

Angela Crawford, Phil Blake

 

2.     Action/Matters Arising From Last Meeting

 

No outstanding actions. 

 

It was mentioned that the ‘Latest News’ update has been a welcome addition to the CIS system.

 

3.     Web Project Demonstration

 

DTF presented a demonstration of the new CIS web pages which was well received.  Comments made by the user group were noted and will be actioned by DTF and PSB as appropriate.

 

Action : PSB and DTF to action comments made by User Group re Information available on web pages, automatic access to all staff, publicity and training for the new web pages.

 

4.     CIS Resource Allocation 1/2/03 to 31/7/03

 

SAM presented a table of CIS resource allocation for January – July 2003.

 

5.     Projects Update

 

SAM provided an update on current CIS projects as follows:

 

·        Student Information System – no further progress to report.

·        Web based facilities – overview provided by the demo from DTF earlier.

·        HESA FDS – HESA are changing their requirements re the first destination survey of our graduates.  JLS is working on this.

·        OMR Student Feedback – successfully went live early February 2003.

·        Transfer of Ownership – project is in progress. Richard Mollart is working on this and will shortly start on the devolution of Financial processes.

·        Payments to Students via BACS – project is in progress.  Peter Harvey is working on this.

·         ‘CCJ’ hardcoding removal from CIS source files – project is in progress.  RKH is working on this.

·        HESA Student – project is in progress.  JLS is working on this.

·        Enable Student Loans Company to make payments by BACS – project is in progress.  RKH is working on this.

 

6.     Helpdesk

 

SAM tabled data of calls to CIS helpdesk for July 01 – February 03.

 

7.     User Requests

 

SAM tabled spreadsheets detailing completed work and the status of requests and proposed programme for undertaking outstanding work.

 

There was some concern over the turnaround of requests and whether some of the smaller requests would be actioned.  SAM highlighted the fact that there is limited resource available for progressing requests, however it is very important that users keep submitting their requests as this would help us to evaluate the unmet need.

 

Users were also encouraged to speak to the CIS helpdesk when submitting requests if they would like assistance when filling in the request form, or if they would like to talk through their requirements first.

 

8.     Consultation Items

 

There was a discussion on how best to prioritise requests.  The current processes of prioritising in consultation with CIS User Group/department/faculty representatives seems to be working well.

 

LH commented that, in her view, all other requests should be put on hold whilst there are urgent Finance requests outstanding to enable the University to produce its accounts. It was pointed out that many of these requests had arisen recently as a result of the demise of the OFS project. Members of the user group felt that it was not reasonable to stop other requests proceeding on account of OFS being in limbo.

 

9.     AOB

 

Members of the CIS User Group were asked to share information from these meetings with their constituents.  It was agreed that there needs to be a clear definition of which department(s) each member of the CIS User group represents.

 

Action: SAM to send out list of CIS UG members and their constituents

 

Date and time of next meeting

 

Tuesday 10th June 2003, 9.30 am in N1.28.