Staff Access to Technology Resources

Faculty members have technologically current computers on their desks, running both administrative and instructional software. All college staffers have access to a computer, even if they do not have jobs that place them at a desk.  E-mail is used extensively for communication among all members of the college community.  Remote access is available to college employees for e-mail, scheduling and other administrative applications. 

Equipment Replacement Cycle and Support

The college annual technology budget includes funding to sustain the college’s technological infrastructure, including a replacement cycle for personal computers, printers, servers, laptops, projection units and network equipment.  In addition, funding is included for professional development to provide training opportunities for staff to stay technologically current.

Training

AACC provides necessary training that ensures faculty and staff maintain the appropriate level of technological currency.  The college goes to great lengths to make sure that faculty and staff are aware of all the tools that are available to them and how to use them.  Professional development sessions are provided each semester or an employee can seek one-on-one assistance for a particularly challenging project. 

Colleague, the College’s Enterprise Resource Planning System

To manage the college’s administrative and student data the college acquired Colleague, a product of Datatel, in 1998.  It is a comprehensive database system with a graphical user interface.  It integrates all the college management systems including financial aid, finance, student information, human resources and payroll. The college has also installed a web “front-end” so that students are now able to use the Web for many student services.  Students and staff know this system as MyAACC. We have also installed an optical imaging system that is integrated with Colleague.  This allows for a streamlined process of recording and subsequent retrieval of an electronic version of paper credentials.

The acquisition of Colleague was a milestone for the institution in that current information was available on one’s desktop and all the management systems were integrated further providing reliable information.  It also provided the infrastructure for the college to provide many student services online. 

Electronic Calendaring System

The college has implemented an electronic calendaring system that is easy to use and provides college employees with significant dates concerning the instructional, operational and planning calendars.  At a glance, an employee can see what important activities are taking place at any time.  The calendar promotes harmony in planning significant events in that the activities of another area of the college can be taken into consideration. 

Executive Information System

The Executive Information System (EIS) is a business intelligence tool that enables college employees to view and analyze complex data and performance trends from a browser on their desktop.  It provides essential information to those who need it to make important decisions in a timely way. It’s easy to use and the data is updated via Colleague.

Users can:

• display summary data;
• drill down for details;
• search, sort and filter information using pre-programmed buttons;
• and display information both numerically and graphically.