Shocker One Stop: Personalized service on the Web
By John Jones
This week, University Computing and Telecommunications Services is unveiling the first step in the university’s new Web-enabling program, Shocker One Stop, which will include a growing number of services for all students, faculty, and staff of WSU.
The first step will be giving SOS users access to their personal records, so they may do things like make changes of address, phone numbers or e-mail accounts online. In addition, faculty members will be able to access their class lists simply by logging in to the secure Web site.
Gary Ott, executive director of University Computing and Telecommunications Services, is looking ahead to the future of the SOS project.
"We’re going to ease into these services and allow users to become acclimated. Eventually we’ll add all the features that make sense to Web-enable, including the features that students can currently access through the Touch ’n Roll system –checking grades, enrolling, and so on."
John Ellis, manager of Internet applications, has taken a special interest in the project’s security.
"We’re using a SSL (Secure Socket Layers) system, the same sort of encryption and security system that commercial companies use to make their retail Web sites safe. As we add features in the future, we’ll be able to make it possible for students to check financial aid status and degree progress, enroll in courses and pay fees from anywhere in the world."
The new services will be available for users through links on the main WSU homepage. To access the system, users will need to have their Shocker ID number (the 16 digit number on their Shocker card) and their Shocker card PIN. For first-time users, the PIN is their birth date (mmddyy format). Then they will be asked to change their PIN before using the system.
Faculty, staff or students who do not have a Shocker card will need to get one at the Shocker card office in the Rhatigan Student Center. The first Shocker card is free, but a replacement card costs $10.
For more information, contact the University Computing and Telecommunications Services help desk at WSU-HELP (978-4357).
