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Example of the CUNYFirst home screen

CUNYFirst is a database used to store students’ basic information regarding multiple different types of processes regarding school. It is self-described as a "Fully Integrated Resources and Services Tool", which is what the “First” stands for in CUNYFirst. Using the CUNYFirst database, administration has the ability to access course rosters, email students, submit final grades, verify attendance, clear students to register, and look up student info. Students using CUNYFirst have the ability to enroll in classes, pay tuition, view their transcript, view their class schedule, view their graduation progress, and academic planner, among other things. [1]

History

The CUNYFirst system came to be due to the issues that arose with each CUNY school having different systems when handling student administration, human resources and finance issues. With CUNY trying to become more of an integrated unit, it was important for each school in the system to use the same system. The official CUNY website states “CUNYfirst applications will replace aging legacy systems like SIMS and CUPS and help us streamline and standardize many of the things we do at our colleges.” [2] This continues to show CUNY’s increased focus on creating an integrated system for all of the CUNY schools.

Offices that CUNYFirst assists

CUNYFirst is a system that integrates the operations of all the faculty offices at Baruch, into a database that is divided for each office, yet remains cohesive in applying changes wherever needed when the system is updated. The system creates clear communication amongst faculty offices; TAP, Student advisement, Financial Aid, Bursar and the Registrar office which relieve burden for prospective and current students at Baruch College. [3]

Bursar

Bursar is a department within Baruch, which deals with handling finances involving the student's tuition. According to Baruch's website, they are responsible for the following: answering questions relating tuition, payments and refunds, collecting tuition and other fee payments, processing refunds and re-issuing them, providing billing statements, administering payment plans, processing 3rd party vouchers, processing tuition waivers, processing approved scholarship payments, administering collection activities, and administering 1098T statements. CUNYFirst allows access to view and edit all of the forms required to be turned in to the bursar as well as pay fees electronically.[4]

Registrar

Baruch's Registrar office

The registrar department is tasked with being the official academic record-keeper of Baruch. Some of the things that this responsibility requires are, degree audits, maintaining academic records according to FERPA regulations, redesigning curriculum programs and catalog development. CUNYFirst has improved this aspect of faculty offices by providing easier access to students’ DegreeWorks, which allows students to view their current graduation plan as well as, grades, completed and remaining academic requirements and more. [5]

TAP

The total amount of enrolled students at Baruch is 18,289 however there is only one person designated to assist students with any TAP issues they encounter with the help of their assistant. Although there are other offices that handle the TAP process (compliance, transfer evaluations, advisement, etc.) students deal directly with the TAP coordinator. Having one person assist over 18,000 students is not a method that has proven to be either effective or efficient. To add more complications, the hours of operation to meet with the Tap Coordinator takes place during business hours only on Mondays and Tuesdays from 2:00pm to 4:30pm; posing an even greater inconvenience for working students. CUNYFirst eases this struggle by allowing students to view things such as their Financial Aid Award Summary page and hosting a Q&A page in order for students to not necessarily have to go into the actual TAP office. [6]

Blackboard Learn

CUNYFirst's Blackboard & DegreeWorks options

Blackboard Learn is CUNY’s enterprise Learning Management System (LMS)[7]. The system brings the classroom to an online setting where students and faculty can collaboratively use online materials and activities to supplement classroom teachings. On Blackboard students can access the syllabus for the semester in order to help them keep track of important dates. The goal of this is to support the progressive movement of web-enhanced, hybrid, and online instructional classes.

DegreeWorks

DegreeWorks is a web-based program attatched to CUNYFirst, which allows students to view their current academic progress. Students can see which course requirements have been met and what courses they can take to fulfill the requirements that are remaining. There is also a ‘What If’ feature that allows students to see how their academic requirements might change if they were to change their major. This program allows students to view and create an academic plan quickly and easily.[8]

FACTS

This is the logo for FACTS.

FACTS stands for financial aid eligibility and certification tracking system. As stated in its website, "FACTS helps students understand their eligibility for selected New York State financial aid programs: TAP, APTS, and selected HESC scholarships."[9] Students use the FACTS to check if the courses they are taking are covered by their financial aid. It breaks down a student's financial aid package. The website is audited daily and refreshed to reflect a student's current status.

Mobile app

CUNYFirst MyInfo app advertisement

CUNY has brought the CUNYFirst integration to the palms of the students and professors hands creating a mobile app for the system, which increases accessibility for users. The CUNYFirst MyInfo app is available on both iOS and Android and has numerous functions at the current time. Through the mobile app, users can access personal and emergency information, class schedules, class schedule for the day, class start time reminders, class textbook assignments, financial aid summaries, an academic calendar link, and a campus map link.

References