Transitioning Cascade to myPugetSound
As part of Optimize Puget Sound, the university is implementing software from Oracle PeopleSoft in stages. Initially, this means students, faculty, and staff are seeing new ways to do many of the things once done in Cascade. Eventually, Cascade itself will be replaced by a new portal called myPugetSound. This page provides updates and information on this aspect of the project. Please send any questions, comments, or other project-related feedback to my@pugetsound.edu.
For assistance using Cascade or PeopleSoft, please contact the Technology Service Desk at 253.879.8585, servicedesk@pugetsound.edu, through our Online Service Desk, or by visiting the Tech Center in Collins Memorial Library.
Current Developments
On Monday, March 25, PeopleSoft became the system of record for student information. Registration for classes is now done through the Student Center link found in the Cascade menu for students.
On April 22, Student Financial Services (SFS) began converting student accounts from Cascade to PeopleSoft. SFS will transition the way billing and payment options are presented to bill payers and students in the coming months.
Faculty should use PeopleSoft through the Faculty Center link in Cascade to do the following: Fall 2013 pre-registration tasks, viewing Spring 2013 class rosters, and entering Spring 2013 final grades. Through May 17, faculty will continue to use Cascade functionality to enter Spring 2013 midterm grades (due March 25), utilize the student alert process, and access advisee information.
Training
See the Campus Solutions Training page in SoundNet (requires Puget Sound login) for assistance in learning the new system. Training sessions, handouts, and online instruction are available for faculty, staff, and students.
Why Are We Doing This?
Conversion to PeopleSoft is an enormous undertaking, and it is definitely valid to ask why we are doing this. The reasons, like the project, are complex and involve a range of technical and strategic issues the university had to address. A great deal of time and consideration went into both the initial decision to make this change and the process of selecting the software we are implementing. Students, faculty, and staff provided input by participating in surveys, meetings, and vendor demonstrations. See the ERP Selection Process Archive for more background or the Optimize Puget Sound page for current information, including project developments and expected outcomes.
Cascade has been a great system for the university for more than 20 years. But with limited resources, we are not able to maintain or expand it as required to meet the many needs of our growing campus. The initial transition to PeopleSoft will have its challenges, and it will take time to get everything as we want it to be. The planned portal, myPugetSound, should improve the usability of the system considerably. But over the next few months, we ask the campus community to bear with us through this transition phase. We definitely appreciate your patience and invite your feedback as things progress.
For more information, please contact my@pugetsound.edu.
