September - University of Nebraska

TO: The Board of Regents
Business Affairs
MEETING DATE: September 5, 2008
SUBJECT: New Student Information System
Addendum IX-B-14
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve 1) contracts for the purchase and implementation of a
new Student Information System 2) a budget for purchase of
related hardware, 3) authorize the President to negotiate and
enter into a Project Cooperation Agreement with the Nebraska
State College System, and 4) amendment of the 2009-2011
biennial operating budget submission to reflect estimated ongoing
operating and maintenance costs related to the proposed
system.
PREVIOUS ACTION: June 13, 2008 – The Board approved the 2009-2011 Biennial
Operating Budget Request
November 9, 2007 – The Board approved submission of a
budget deficit request to the State of Nebraska including funding
for a student information system.
July 28, 2006 – The Board approved the 2007-2009 Biennial
Capital Construction Budget Request which included a request
for funding of a new student information system.
EXPLANATION: Student information systems are the lifeblood of a university.
The need to replace the current system to provide students,
faculty and staff with timely, consistent information is
recognized by all parties. Since 2006, the President and others
within the University have been working with the Board in
pursuing this strategic initiative.
This strategic need gained statewide momentum in higher
education when in 2007 President Milliken, working in concert
with Chancellor Carpenter of the Nebraska State College System
(NSCS) and Governor Heineman, determined to acquire a
common system for all of Nebraska senior public higher
education.
Accordingly, in February of 2008, the University of Nebraska
and the Nebraska State Colleges issued a joint request for
proposals (RFP) seeking bids to purchase and implement a new
Student Information System (SIS). The goal was to replace the
existing SIS systems that will not be supported by its provider
after December 31, 2011.
A joint request was made to the Governor by President Milliken
and Chancellor Carpenter for $22,153,000 in a funding proposal