Next fall, NIU will beta-test a new PC-based test processing software.

The change comes because of “the decommissioning of the university mainframe system scheduled to occur at the end of 2009,” according to an e-mail sent from Vice-Provost Earl Seaver to faculty, instructional staff, deans and department chairs. The e-mail states the change should bring improvement.

“We believe the new system offers a significant improvement over the legacy system in terms of processing speed, analyses and efficiency,” the e-mail said.

A “select group” of instructors will be able to beta-test the system in the fall, and this new system will be the only way to process tests beginning spring 2010, according to the e-mail.

The e-mail also said that “some of the more obscure test processing requests included in the legacy system will no longer be available on the new system.”

Greg Barker, director of testing services, said that such issues may be minimal and students and teachers would see little effect from the change.

“There really are very few differences between the old and new system,” Barker said.

The e-mail said the “core functionality” of the procedures will remain intact.

“…The forms, instructions, procedures for completing exam keys and dropping off exams at Testing Services will remain essentially the same,” the e-mail said.

Sophomore psychology major Jeff Kosovich said the change does not really concern him.

“It seems like a more efficient system than it is now,” Kosovich said. “As far as an impact on my college experience, I don’t think it’s a really big deal.”