New degree evaluation system

On Feb. 20, Xavier students will use a new system to view their degree evaluations.

Efforts to improve the current system began two years ago

after talking to students, faculty and staff about the problems that occurred with the system. After perusing the enhancement options, it was determined that the best option would be to replace the system entirely. The extensive

process of revamping the current site began in January of last year. The current system is found in the Students Services tab on the portal under the "My Academic

Records" headline. The new system will be in the same location, but has other noticeable changes.

The current system requires students to go through several

steps to view to their degree evaluation and once there, the evaluations are cluttered and confusing. With the new system, the students will be able to access their evaluations in fewer steps and once opened, the evaluation system

is more straightforward and color-coded.

The evaluation system is set up so that it displays what core,

major and minor requirements the student has taken, is enrolled in and still must take and color codes them so that it is easier for the student to differentiate. The evaluation will also display credits earned at other universities or through Advanced Placement programs.

This audit worksheet is interactive with a student's major, highlighting what is specifically needed for that major.

Along with the evaluation, the system will have several new

features. Included in these features are a "what if " feature, a "look ahead" feature and a GPA calculator. The "what if " feature enables students to see how their class requirements would change if they added a major or minor, making it easier for students to make the decision

about how difficult it would be for them to change majors or add a minor. The "look ahead" feature allows students to see what would happen to their class requirements

if they were to take a certain class and what requirements the class would fill, allowing students to better schedule classes. The GPA calculator allows students to see how their overall GPA will change with their anticipated grades for a semester and shows what grades students would have to get in order to achieve a certain GPA. Mike Svihlik, assistant registrar, said that this feature would be especially helpful for at-risk students who may already be on academic probation, so that they can see what kind of grades they must earn in order to get back in good standing.

This program also allows the students to see any holds on their accounts, view their class history term-by-term, see notes from advisors and view a graduation checklist that shows in a simplified form what is required to graduate.

"A lot of colleges have this program," Svihlik said. "I wanted to make sure that it was customized for Xavier and catered to our students." Svihlik was optimistic that this system will be used more than the past system and that students would start using it to prepare for the summer and fall 2012 semesters.