Campus News
Campus Solutions Implementation: Transition Period
December 3rd, 2018
From Professor Andy Long, Provost & Deputy Vice-Chancellor
Dear Colleague
As we move to complete the final implementation of Campus Solutions across December as promised, I am writing to ask for your help and support in ensuring a smooth transition as possible so that this new system is operational from the new calendar year.
Over the next few weeks we will be moving data from Saturn to Campus Solutions, as well as preparing linked IT systems, to allow us to start using the new system from the beginning of 2019. This means a number of changes will happen which could temporarily affect your day-to-day work.
Please read and act on the information provided below. If you have any questions, click through to the information provided or email campussolutions@nottingham.ac.uk.
– Saturn 3 is used to enter and maintain student records. From 5pm on Friday 30 November, Saturn Web remains available to view student records, however, any essential changes to student records will need to be made by request to colleagues in Student Services.
– Moodle and Rogo will be unavailable on Monday 17 December (UK: 08:00 – 10:00 and China/Malaysia: 16:00 – 18:00). Temporary versions of Moodle and Rogo will be available to students to support their revision in the UK from Monday 17 December to Thursday 20 December, and in China and Malaysia from Monday 17 December to Friday 21 December.
– Linked systems that obtain data from Saturn will be updated over the coming weeks to draw data from Campus Solutions instead. A full schedule of these works and expected unavailability is listed at Campus News. Please check the schedule regularly for the latest information and plan accordingly.
– Student ID numbers will be adjusted from their seven-digit format to an eight-digit format for storage in Campus Solutions by adding the prefix ‘1’ to existing student ID numbers from January 2019. Exceptions are students on Nursing and Midwifery programmes (managed in the ARC system) or intercampus mobility students, where further information will be provided soon.
– Module Codes will be adjusted according to the list of UK module codes on the Module Codes Workspace site which maps current Saturn codes to their equivalents for Campus Solutions. Search the list using either the existing code, new code or the title of a module.
– Aleph Library PINs will be reset on or after Tuesday 18 December to the last four digits of students’ Library Card Number, as shown on their student ID card. Students will be encouraged to change their PIN numbers after this time. Further information is provided on the Libraries website.
– Campus Solutions terminology will be different to what we may have used in the past. There is no expectation that Campus Solutions terms will be adopted in the day-to-day language of the University, however please view the terminology guide on Workspace to become familiar with the new terms used in the system.
All information is available on the Campus Solutions pages on Workspace. These pages contain a variety of useful information to help you get started with Campus Solutions, and will be kept up-to-date.
We will share further implementation plans for Campus Solutions with you very soon, including details on how we will be rolling out the new system into the University and when colleagues can expect to be able to access the system.
I fully appreciate that the implementation of Campus Solutions has been a long and difficult one. Project sponsor Professor Sarah O’Hara reflects on that in her latest blog. I want to thank you for your continued support, commitment and patience as we move to a single and more integrated student records system for the University.
If you have any questions regarding the new student records system please email campussolutions@nottingham.ac.uk.
Best wishes
Andy
Professor Andy Long
Provost & Deputy Vice-Chancellor
Sarah O’Hara’s blog: Implementation of Campus Solutions
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Project Sponsor Update on Output Deposition into RIS
December 3rd, 2018
I’d like to re-iterate my earlier message that “in progress” outputs need to be “deposited” in RIS. The upcoming REF Readiness Review will run better if our outputs have been through the deposition process. The University’s record of outputs was previously split between e-Prints and e-StaffProfile and we are trying to improve the data quality so future REF processes, including the final submission, use a curated record.
Please complete the deposition by 5pm of Friday 14 December. The deadline has been extended as so far only 30% of “in progress” outputs have been deposited.
In response to feedback from the Faculties please note the following:
- Outputs pre-dating the April 2016 cut-off for open access. REF 2021 expects all outputs after this date to be open access (with exceptions for certain types of outputs such as books). If you are depositing an output that was published before this date you can simply mark it as not open access and put the acceptance date (if not known) as the publication date.
- Each deposited record is checked by staff in the library. It will take time to work through the backlog so don’t worry if the output remains “in review” for an extended period of time.
- At this stage in the process we are not concerned about incomplete or incorrect linkage of authors. We have a future exercise to correct this for outputs that may be submitted for REF 2021.
For any questions relating to your outputs please email openaccess@nottingham.ac.uk. For questions about how to use RIS please contact RIS-Enquiries@nottingham.ac.uk.
Kevin Shakesheff, PVC Science
Project Sponsor for the Research Information System
Monday 3 December 2018
Tags: REF, Research Information System, RIS
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Planned downtime of IT systems as we move to Campus Solutions
November 30th, 2018
Updated 28 Dec 2018 – the dates for Kinetics and Vision Catering were changed.
IMPORTANT: Please keep checking this page for the latest information as dates and times may change. Specific times will be confirmed a week before the scheduled work.
As we move from Saturn to the new Campus Solutions student records systems, we must ensure that IT systems that obtain data from Saturn are updated to take data from Campus Solutions instead.
The list below details the dates and times when work will be taking place on various IT systems to complete the switchover, along with details of expected unavailability of these systems.
Aleph
The system used to access libraries and the loan of books.
This system will be updated on Monday 17 December to Tuesday 18 December – no downtime expected.
After Tuesday 18 December, the pin numbers that students use in their Aleph library account will be reset to the last four digits of their Library Card Number, as shown on their student ID card. They will be encouraged to change their pin numbers after this time.
Students use their ID card or Library Card Number, plus their pin number to use the self-service machines in the libraries, book rooms in libraries and access online forms.
There will be no change for all other library users, their pin numbers will remain the same.
Attendance Monitoring (SAMS)
Records the attendance of students at events.
This system will be updated on Thursday 10 January to Friday 11 January – no downtime expected.
Bluecastle Evaluate
Supports the publishing of exam results and SET/SEM surveys.
Bluecastle Evaluate will be completely unavailable in the UK from Wednesday 2 January to Sunday 6 January.
CareerHub
The Careers and Employability Services department are introducing this new system for managing student and alumni access to their services and events.
This system will be updated on Tuesday 8 January – no downtime expected.
Dante
A course management system for training and skills development for colleagues and postgraduates.
This system will be updated on Tuesday 8 January – no downtime expected.
Echo 360/Lecture Capture/Engage
Used to record and share videos of presentations in lecture theatres.
This system will be updated on Monday 28 January – no downtime expected. New module codes will be added into Echo 360, ready for the spring semester.
HEDD (Higher Education Degree Datacheck)
Holds details of students and graduates of UK universities to enable reference checks.
This system will be updated on Wednesday 19 December – no downtime expected.
IDM and IT Accounts
An identity management and authentication control system.
This system will be updated on Tuesday 11 December to Saturday 15 December – IDM will continue to be available throughout this period.
From Thursday 13 December to Friday 14 December there will be periods when the activation of new student ID cards may be delayed by two hours in China and Malaysia.
Kinetics (dates changed)
The accommodation management system.
Please do not make any updates in Kinetics from Saturday 1 December to Friday 4 January.
Kinetics will be completely unavailable from Thursday 3 January to Friday 4 January.
Legend/Leisure Services
Used to manage our Sports facilities in the UK.
This system will be updated on Monday 17 December to Tuesday 18 December – no downtime expected, but new student information will not be visible in these systems during these dates.
Moodle and Rogo
Moodle is the virtual learning environment that is used for students. Rogo is our online exam management system.
Moodle and Rogo will be completely unavailable during the following times on Monday 17 December:
- UK: 8am to 10am
- China and Malaysia: 4pm to 6pm
Temporary revision-only versions of Moodle and Rogo will be available to support students in their revision during the following dates:
- UK: 10am on Monday 17 December to 8pm on Thursday 20 December
- China and Malaysia: 6pm on Monday 17 December to 4am on Friday 21 December
There will a brief period of complete unavailability towards the end of the schedule before we return to the full versions of these systems. Find out more about Moodle and Rogo availability.
Operational Data Store
Makes student information available to IT systems in Schools and Faculties.
Data will be available for Schools and Faculties to access from Monday 17 December.
Saturn
This is our current student records management system, soon to be replaced by Campus Solutions.
Saturn 3 is used to add and update student records. You will no longer be able to access Saturn 3 from 5pm on Friday 30 November, but you will be able to view information in Saturn Web which is used primarily to view student records.
If you use Saturn Web, you can continue to access this system.
Please contact these Student Services colleagues if you need to make any essential changes to student records during this time.
Student photos
The system that holds all our student photos.
This system will be updated on Friday 14 December – no downtime expected.
Student Union Elections and MSL
Students’ Union membership is managed in MSL and elections are managed in Student Union Elections.
This system will be updated on Wednesday 2 January to Thursday 3 January – no downtime expected.
Syllabus+
Schedules resources (locations, staff, etc.) for the production of timetables and the room booking service.
This system will be updated on Monday 17 December to Wednesday 16 January – no downtime expected.
Timetabling for 19/20 to be available from Monday 7 January.
Validate
Used for managing international student documentation for visas.
Validate will be completely unavailable on Wednesday 19 December.
Vision Catering System (date changed)
The meal card system that manages students’ catering allowances within halls of residence.
This system will be updated on Friday 4 January – no downtime expected.
Workload Planning
Manages academic workload planning.
This system will be updated on Tuesday 18 December – no downtime expected. New files containing UK data will be available from Friday 21 December.
BlueCastle Results Publishing and Exam Scheduler will continue to receive data from Saturn for the exams taking place in January 2019. These systems will be updated after this time and we will keep you informed of when the data source will be switched to Campus Solutions.
If you have any questions regarding these systems please email campussolutions@nottingham.ac.uk.
Tags: campus solutions, IT, IT Services, software
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Agresso upgrade underway
November 28th, 2018
An upgrade to the University finance system, Agresso, is now well underway as part of the Digital Futures programme.
A like for like upgrade to our Finance System, (Currently called Agresso, but will in future be called ‘Business World’), is now well underway and forms part of the Digital Futures programme of work. The project, sponsored by Sally Blackamore, commenced this September and a small Finance user group will soon perform the first round of internal testing.
Given that we will be leap-frogging a number of versions ahead, there will naturally be some inherent ‘out the box’ improvements to usability delivered. Wider benefits include a cleaner and more modern system in look and feel, as well as much improved web based functionality. ‘Business World’ will also become available to users via web channels and through ‘single sign on’. System configuration and testing will continue over the next few months, with the upgrade with Go-Live scheduled for mid-March 2019.
To view the latest updates, visit the Digital Network blog.
Tags: Agresso, Business World, Digital Futures, finance
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UNMC Faculty of Science and Engineering
November 28th, 2018
In consultation with its Management Board, as well as UK colleagues, UNMC Provost Professor Graham Kendall has confirmed that the UNMC Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Engineering will be brought together so that the campus will operate with two faculties – the Faculty of Science and Engineering and the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
Professor Andy Chan will lead the merged faculty and will work with Professor Andrew Morris in his remaining days at UNMC to start making this transition and embrace the opportunities presented by Campus Solutions.
UNMC will engage staff from across the campus aiming to ensure that the changes provide developmental opportunities for colleagues as well as providing new challenges and opportunities to become more efficient and agile in the increasingly competitive Malaysian higher education sector.
Tags: Faculty of Science and Engineering, Malaysia, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus., UNMC
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UNNC leadership changes
November 28th, 2018
University of Nottingham Ningbo Campus (UNNC) Provost Professor Chris Rudd will leave the University on 31 January 2019 to take up a new role in Singapore as Deputy Vice Chancellor and Head of Campus (Singapore) with James Cook University.
Professor Rudd has secured many achievements for our Ningbo campus and will be missed by his many friends and colleagues at the University and in the city of Ningbo.
The University will instigate a global recruitment competition in January to secure a new Provost for the University of Nottingham Ningbo Campus. In the interim Pro Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement and former Ningbo Provost, Professor Nick Miles, will oversee operations from 1 February 2019 and ensure a smooth transition for the next Provost once appointed.
The Vice-Chancellor paid tribute to Professor Rudd, saying:
“As Provost of UNNC, Professor Rudd has introduced new resources and led a series of transformational projects which have delivered success and growth to our Ningbo operation. Professor Rudd’s long career at Nottingham has been marked by many achievements as a research and organisational leader: restructuring the Engineering faculty, steering the £200 million Impact campaign and driving growth in our industry partnerships and commercialisation portfolio. I would like to thank him for his considerable contribution to the University and wish him every future success.”
Professor Rudd said:
“I would like to express my enormous gratitude to the UNNC community for the support and commitment that you have shown as we worked together these past years. The University has grown in every sense of the word and the very considerable successes of the past three years are something that we can take collective pride in. I hope that you will continue to support this amazing institution with the same commitment and passion as UNNC moves forward into a new era.”
As the driving force behind Nottingham’s business partnerships in China, Professor Rudd established the Asia Business Centre, China’s first Confucius Institute branch and served two terms as Board Director of the China Britain Business Council.
Professor Rudd was made OBE in the 2018 New Year’s Honours list and received the Changbaishan Provincial Award from Jilin in 2013 and the West Lake Award from the Zhejiang provincial government in 2018.
As the University starts to develop its new strategy, the Vice-Chancellor has also made a number of changes to the Joint Venture Board that oversees the strategic direction of the Ningbo campus to support a fresh and ambitious examination of the opportunities for expansion, growth and future success in China.
The Vice-Chancellor has asked that Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Andy Long and Pro Vice-Chancellor for Science Professor Kevin Shakesheff join the Joint Venture Board.
Professor Long’s focus on our University Strategy and his role as Deputy Vice-Chancellor will ensure that our discussions on the growth of our presence in China will have the highest prominence in our strategic considerations.
Professor Shakesheff’s extensive experience in Science combined with Professor Long’s expertise in Engineering and industry align well with the research focus on the Ningbo campus and the significant opportunities available in these academic and industrial fields in China.
These changes will take effect for the Chinese New Year and demonstrate the University’s commitment to our Ningbo campus and to exploring the many opportunities for its continued growth and success.
Tags: Professor Chris Rudd, University of Nottingham Ningbo Campus, UNNC
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University honey on sale
November 27th, 2018
Following the success of last year’s University honey, we’re delighted to announce that honey produced from beehives located within the University’s grounds is once again for sale.
Two varieties of honey — gathered from beehives at King’s Meadow Campus and at Bunny Park (farmland near Sutton Bonington Campus) — are available. The different landscape settings are reflected in the flavour and colour of the two varieties.
The honey is currently being sold, while stocks last, in a number of campus outlets including Hendersans and Students’ Union shops. The sales at these outlets will be complemented by pop up stalls at King’s Meadow Campus and Sutton Bonington Famers’ Market.
The limited edition University honey is priced at £5.50. Please note that sales at the pop up stalls are cash only.
For a full list of outlets, please visit the sustainability webpages.
Given the limited supply of this seasonal product, we regret that we are unable to take any requests for bulk orders.
Proceeds from honey sales will contribute to the University’s Environment Initiative Fund, which provides grants to student or staff-led sustainability projects.
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Cutover for Saturn student records system
November 27th, 2018
The cutover process from Saturn to the new Campus Solutions student records system will commence at 5pm on Friday 30 November.
Saturn 3 is used to add and update student records. You will no longer be able to access Saturn 3 after this time, but you will be able to view information in Saturn Web which is used primarily to view student records.
If you use Saturn Web, you can continue to access this system.
Data will be extracted from Saturn and migrated to Campus Solutions during December. During this period essential changes can only be made by colleagues in Student Services. This limited updating process allows us to keep track of all changes that will then be manually updated in Campus Solutions when the system goes live.
If you need to make any essential changes to a student record, or to access information which is not available in Saturn Web, please contact one of the Student Services colleagues that will be updating Saturn during this time. These colleagues can also help to answer any questions that you may have.
Campus Solutions will become our central student records system from January 2019. Further information regarding access to Campus Solutions will be provided from the beginning of 2019.
Thank you for your patience and support during the cutover period.
Tags: campus solutions, IT systems, Saturn, student records, systems
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Recognising technical excellence — nominations open for Papin Prizes
November 27th, 2018
Applications have opened for an awards programme to recognise technical excellence in higher education and research.
The Papin Prizes celebrate the skills, talent and experience of technicians in higher education and research, across the UK and Ireland.
Nominations are invited from universities and research institutes for technicians across all disciplines. Awards will be issued across a range of categories, including:
- Newcomer
- Teaching
- Research
- Core Research Facility
- Infrastructure
- Outreach/Community
- Lifetime Achievement
- Technical Team
The Papin Prizes will be awarded at the 2019 Higher Education Technicians Summit (HETS 2019), which is taking place at the University of Birmingham on 25 June 2019. The largest event of its kind in the country, HETS is dedicated to promoting a professional identity for technical staff working in UK and Ireland higher education and research. Sessions in the conference will focus on professional development and networking opportunities with a range of “hot topics”.
The conference will also discuss broader issues around technical skills and education, including the importance of technicians in driving forward innovation, and the latest initiatives to ensure the future provision of technical education to young people.
Speaking about the nomination opportunity, Kelly Vere, Higher Education and Technician Commitment Lead at the Science Council, and Director of Technical Skills and Strategy at the University of Nottingham, said:
“At the University of Nottingham we have an incredibly diverse range of technical talent across all disciplines. We strongly encourage the nominations of technical colleagues across the institution for recognition in the 2019 Papin Prizes, it’s a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the vital contributions, skills and expertise of our technicians.”
To apply for the Papin Prizes, and for more information about HETS 2019, visit http://www.midlandsinnovation.org.uk/programmes/hets2019.aspx.
The closing date for nominations is 31 January 2019.
Tags: Kelly Vere, Papin Prize, research, technician
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