Students looking to view their DARS report will see a completely new system in place next year.

The new program, PeopleSoft Academic Advisement, will replace the existing DARS system with a different visual format and layout, and different terminology. The program is targeted to start in April 2008, said Sheri Kallembach, acting director of Registration and Records.

The goals of the new system are to simplify the degree audit process, allow for easier tracking of degree requirements, conveniently develop academic plans and provide a list of the remaining requirements for a student’s degree, Kallembach said. PeopleSoft would make information more easily available, which would allow advisers to spend more time interacting with students, she said.

“PeopleSoft Academic Advisement is a technology tool for academic advising that promotes student retention and progression,” Kallembach said.

The PeopleSoft system will replace the entire student system used for NIU students, said Steven Pace, assistant director of the computer services division of Finance and Facilities. Pace said the system is a full replacement for electronic components of services, including academic advising, recruiting, admissions, grade reporting, records and registration.

PeopleSoft will only change the technological process, and not the way credits are handled toward a degree, Kallembach said.

During the time period where both PeopleSoft and DARS are used, continuing students will still use the DARS system, she said.

“Until the PeopleSoft Academic Advisement is available to newly admitted transfer students, a Transfer Credit Evaluation report will be made available to those transfer students who have confirmed they will be attending NIU,” Kallembach said. “In the interim, DARS will be used for continuing students.”