The Daily Beacon

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Sunny with a 0% chance of rain HIGH LOW 92 70

Chris Bratta tells a tale of a Strip divided

Lady Vols soccer routs Chattanooga 8-0

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E D I T O R I A L L Y

Tuesday, September 21, 2010 Issue 24 I N D E P E N D E N T

S T U D E N T

PUBLISHED SINCE 1906 http://dailybeacon.utk.edu

Vol. 115

N E W S P A P E R

O F

T H E

U N I V E R S I T Y

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T E N N E S S E E

Banner system to streamline registration David Johnson Staff Writer As the 2011 spring semester approaches, major changes in how students register for classes are being made. The current enrollment system, Circle Park Online, will soon be replaced by the new Self Service Banner student information system. The goal of the Banner system is to provide students with around-the-clock direct access to their personal data. Following suit with the previous systems, the application of Banner will help with the organization and centralization of important student information. Not only will the new system take care of student registration, but Banner will also allow students to manage academic history, information pertaining to graduation and several other functions. “Banner is a fully integrated student information system,” Monique Anderson, associate dean of enrollment and university registrar, said. “Students, faculty and staff will be able to access the new system through MyUTK, myutk.utk.edu, which is the portal for the new system.” Students will log in to the system in the traditional manner, using their NetID. From there, MyUTK will send them to an individual page in which the user can view his or her personal data such as course schedules and academic records. The pages will serve as a centralized site for students to access all necessary information on a regular basis. To provide a more user-friendly experience, all content displayed on the pages will be customizable. Anderson confirmed several of the functions implemented within the system, all available through a single logon. Besides managing admissions and registering for classes in the Banner system, students will be able to pay fees, access DARS, view academic records and

transcripts, search the catalog and even check their e-mail. “Faculty and staff will have access to student information in one place, which will help them better serve students for registration, academic advising and teaching,” Anderson said. “MyUTK will be very easy to use since it is web based, and everything that students need will be in one location.” Although all student information will now be centralized, the implementation of both the Self Service Banner system and MyUTK may be met with some confusion. Many students were unaware of changes being made to registration until recently, and several have already begun asking questions about the new system. “What’s wrong with CPO?” Kaitlin Williams, undecided freshman, said. “I’m kind of nervous about having to learn an entirely new system, especially since I’ll need it next semester.” For students who are unsure about the new system, several informational training sessions regarding how to access and utilize the system are already being held and are scheduled to continue through December. Students, faculty and staff who have any questions or concerns regarding the new system are encouraged to attend. MyUTK went live Monday with the spring semester timetable of classes, and students will begin registering in the system Sept. 30. Although several functions of MyUTK are already being implemented, CPO will remain operational for the remainder of the fall semester. To access the timetable, visit the A-to-Z section of UT’s website at www.utk.edu/alpha, then click the letter “T” and search for “Timetable of Classes.” For more information on training sessions, accessing MyUTK, or general questions about the system, visit http://tennessee.edu/banner/utk.

George Richardson • The Daily Beacon

Students head to and from class along the Pedestrian Mall on Wendesday, Aug. 25. Students will soon be registering for classes and utilizing the new UT Banner system, which will slowly begin handling most functions of the Circle Park Online system over the semester.

‘Leadershops’ foster student enrichment SOLD program to provide practical leadership experience Donesha Aldridge Staff Writer

George Richardson • The Daily Beacon

Ayres Hall sits in front of a sunrise on Wednesday, Aug. 25. After a long period of renovations, plans are underway for a grand reopening of Ayres around Homecoming, on Nov. 12 and 13.

Students are gaining leadership and people skills by attending some of the Student Orientation and Leadership Development Offices’ Leadershops. The SOLD Office will host a Communications Skills and Strategies “leadershop” Wednesday. Tripp Purks, graduate assistant in the SOLD office, said the workshop will teach the importance of setting common goals when working with others to complete tasks. “It will cover practical tips on how to take your personal communication to the next level and ensure success as a competent and collaborative leader,” Purks said. Purks said each workshop is uniquely designed to help all types of students. “Students will benefit from both practical and theoretical experiences that use their current experience and self-knowledge to encourage development of strengths and skills,” he said. “Leadershops empower students to be able to realize their personal leadership styles and strengths and subsequently become stronger leaders on campus and overall better representatives of UT.” Sally Parish, another graduate assistant in the SOLD office, said even though these workshops are for training, students usually enjoy themselves as well. “Leadershops are a fun, stress-free way for all students to become better leaders on campus,” she said. “I would encourage all students to try to attend at least one. I promise they will not be disappointed.” Parish said the workshops are relevant because everyone needs to know how to be a servant leader and communicate effectively. The first leadershop in August was “True Colors: The Roommate Edition.” Parish and Purks said it was very successful and about 30 students attended. “The students who attended had excellent things to say,” Parish said. Parish said she is looking forward to the rest of the leadershops happening this semester. “One of our office’s goals is to provide leadership development opportunities for all students at the University of Tennessee, regardless of their current positional leadership role on campus,” she said. “Leadershops are one of many ways we accomplish this on a regular basis. We truly believe that anyone can be a leader, and we are certainly here to help with that process.” Parish said the benefits of attending a leadershop are long term . “My biggest piece of advice for student leaders is to find something you love doing, and do it to the best of your ability,” she said. “Leadershops, like many of our office programs, are designed to help students to do just that.” Besides the leadershop on Wednesday, SOLD will host two other workshops this semester. “Building a Foundation for Leadership” will be held Oct. 12 at 6 p.m. in the Black Cultural Center. It will provide the opportunity for students to learn what values contribute to making big differences in decision making. “Diversity and Cultural Sensitivity” will be held Nov. 15 at 6 p.m. in the UC rooms 223 and 224. This workshop is designed to help students learn how to be open to world views. Wednesday’s leadershop will be at 6 p.m. in Humes’ multipurpose room.


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