Drexel University Applies SCT Solutions to Expand Campus Information “Anywhere, Anytime,” to “Any Device”
ANAHEIM, Calif. (EDUCAUSE 2003) — November 4, 2003 — Drexel University is expanding the boundaries of information access from “anywhere, any time” to “any device” using SCT Banner® and SCT Luminis™ solutions. The result is that constituents are more satisfied with University services and are better equipped to succeed in their Drexel experience.
SCT (Nasdaq:SCTC) is highlighting the University’s notable achievements during its participation at EDUCAUSE 2003, the premier IT event for higher education, in Anaheim, California, Nov. 4-7.
Drexel has earned a reputation for being a technology leader. In 1983, Drexel was the first university to require every student to have a computer. Drexel also became the first major university to operate a completely wireless campus network. Today, the DrexelOne portal delivers outstanding information and services.
“DrexelOne is our Web services umbrella. Using Luminis, it provides our students, faculty, and staff with a single point of contact for almost all academic, administrative, and personal services,” said Kenneth Blackney, director of core technology infrastructure at Drexel.
More recently, the University launched DrexelOne Mobile to extend those services to handheld devices. DrexelOne Mobile is possibly the nation’s first mobile Web portal for students, providing real-time access to campus information from any device. Time-sensitive information such as class cancellations, grades, financial aid awards, campus news, and other personalized announcements, can be easily pushed to constituents regardless of their location.
“With DrexelOne Mobile, supported by SCT Banner and Luminis technologies, our students can receive grade reports, financial and billing information, schedule changes, and other time-critical information immediately and automatically,” said Dr. John A. Bielec, vice president and CIO at Drexel. “This contributes to their academic and personal success and enhances their complete Drexel experience.”
During the testing of DrexelOne Mobile, a student employee who was scheduled to graduate in two days was alerted of a procedural hold placed on his records. Because this information was pushed to him instantly, he was able to address the issue in time to graduate with his class. Blackney explained, “Because of SCT technologies and DrexelOne Mobile, our students don’t have to go to the information; the information goes to them.”
SCT Luminis technologies also are providing Drexel with enhanced Web platform features, integration technologies, and content management. The platform features and integration technologies are contributing to improved student learning while reducing costs.
These technologies and others were applied first in an extensive redesign and unification of the Introductory Computer Programming sequences, required freshmen courses. The redesign made use of a substantial amount of Web-based course material and course management tools that help individualize instruction. Setting up the courses and enrolling students was automated, significantly reducing the faculty workload. The project’s redesign and improved student support is credited for an increase in the percentage of students receiving As and Bs and a substantial decrease in the number of student withdrawals, from 11 percent to three percent.
“SCT technologies are critical to the success of our initiatives to provide students, faculty, and staff with greater access to university services and information, and better support through their learning experience at Drexel,” said Bielec.
About Drexel
Located in Philadelphia, PA, Drexel, a private, research, co-operative education university, is ranked among the best national doctoral universities by U.S. News & World Report in its “America’s Best Colleges 2004” issue. U.S. News also ranks it #1 for specialized programs in information systems. For more information, visit www.drexel.edu.
