Global State University (GSU), is a large public research university with approximately 45,000 students. For such a large institution, an easy-to-use, effective, and dependable registration system is of the highest priority in maintaining student success and ensuring smooth academic operation.
But currently, GSU is facing problems with their outdated registration system.
The system was originally developed in the early 2000s and was not designed to fit the needs of a diverse and modern academic environment.
The University’s present course registration system is impaired by various problems owing to the lack of integration management within departments and the datedness of the legacy system. This adds yet another layer of weakness and complexity to enrolling in courses. Specifically, it makes the following things difficult:
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Providing accurate and real-time course updates
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Enabling monitoring of compliance with visa requirements for international students
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Dealing with peak registration periods without encountering system crashes or a decrease in performance
Impact
The constraints of the current registration system have become increasingly apparent as student needs evolve. These consequences have widespread implications:
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Academic advisors lack the tools to view student academic profiles, which hinders their ability to offer guidance effectively
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Students are constantly exposed to delays and crashes that negatively impact course planning and registration. According to EDUCAUSE (2024), student-facing technology should enable intuitive, mobile-friendly interactions that support academic success.
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Administrative staff have challenges dealing with course capacities, waitlists, and overrides due to manual processes
Key challenges are:
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No multi-language functionality for international students. A large university should consider implementing some of the most frequently spoken languages in the U.S. (besides English). According to the U.S. Census Bureau (2022), this includes Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and Arabic.
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Minimal integration with other key academic departments
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A lack of reporting tools to track student success and identify at-risk students
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The system fails to meet accessibility standards such as WCAG 2.1, creating barriers for students with disabilities (World Wide Web Consortium [W3C], 2018).
Stakeholders Impacted
GSU’s poor course registration system negatively impacts:
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Students, who face registration problems, which could result in stress and graduation delay
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Faculty and advisors, who lack the tools and visibility to help students thrive
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IT and administrative staff, who face burdens in maintaining the system
The Need for Action
Without intervention, GSU risks further operational strain and declining student satisfaction. A modern, integrated system is vital to maintain academic success and institutional support.
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