Hi everyone,

Enterprise Applications & Solutions Integration (EASI) would like to update you on the latest major production releases and updates for the NGSIS program and student systems. From October 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023, EASI completed close to 88 releases for a wide range of applications.

The following are major changes during this timeframe:

New Gender Codes in ROSI (September 2022)
In September 2022, EASI implemented new gender codes in ROSI to reflect changes made by the Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC). These changes expanded the gender categories options for applicants and by extension to registered students. Updated ACORN displays were released in mid January and updated ROSI reports were released March 7. The EASI team is now working to modify all remaining associated services and extracts to align with these changes.

Accommodated Testing Services (ATS) – Student and Administrator Launch (January 5, 2023)
In the beginning of March, in partnership with Enterprise Applications and Solutions Integration (EASI), Accommodated Testing Services (ATS) launched enhancements to ACORN allowing students to book requests for accommodated testing via ACORN for assessments written during the whole Exam Period. New functions were also provided to the ATS Admin System that permit ATS staff to maintain some key data required to support students being able to make booking requests through ACORN. ATS also further enhanced a module that will eventually allow staff to coordinate accommodated tests through a new administrative system while instructors continue to submit accommodated test details and documents within the Course Information System.

U of T Student Equity Census (February 21, 2023)
The U of T Student Equity Census is a demographic data collection initiative with a set of seven questions, including questions on gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, Indigenous identity, race and/or ethnocultural identity, and education attainment of parents or guardians. In July 2022, the census was incorporated into ACORN and the Student Information System data environment. On February 21, at the request of the Office of the Vice-Provost – Students, the survey was made compulsory for all students, though students may decline to answer individual questions.

Default to ECOPRINT – PDF Printing (February 27, 2023)
On February 27, 2023, EASI completed changes to the infrastructure that managed physical printing from ROSI. To align with larger efforts in modernization, most physical printing from ROSI transitioned exclusively to PDF printing through ECOPRINT.

Timetable Builder Improvements (February 28, 2023)
The cloud-based Timetable Builder expansion was launched on June 6, 2022 and further improvements were implemented on February 28, 2023. These improvements include, allowing notes management outside of TB start dates and legend, and allowing divisional Calendars to direct users to courses in Timetable Builder. Interface enhancements were implemented, and technical debt was also addressed.

Course Information System (CIS)
The Course Information System streamlines syllabi and exams processes for instructors and administrators. CIS has made the following releases: 

• Launch of the Syllabus Builder Module (November 21, 2022)
  Starting with the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, the new Syllabus Builder module provides instructors with an end-to-end experience for creating their course syllabus document, with the goal of improving the consistency of syllabi across the institution for both students and academic administrators.
• Instructor Imports for Syllabus Builder (March 2, 2023)
  This enhancement to the Syllabus Builder module allows instructors to copy over previously submitted data, to save time and effort when teaching the same or very similar courses over the years.
• UTSC Exam Module Enhancements (March 21, 2023)
  Enhancements to UTSC’s exam modules to improve alignment with business and administrative needs.

BIRT/iHUB Curriculum Management Reports Replaced with Power BI (March 15, 2023)
On March 15, 2023, EASI transitioned all BIRT/iHUB Curriculum Management reports to Power BI. This transition will increase flexibility in developing and modifying reports and allow for cross-application and cross-database reporting. In the future, Power BI reporting will expand to additional reports in various applications.