UH has implemented PeopleSoft 8.9, a program that the University will be using for everything from enrolling students in classes to financial aid to parking.
There is debate, however, over whether the new software is actually helping students or if it’s just creating more trouble.
"It has caused me nothing but problems," psychology junior Kimberly Ward said. "It has been a huge inconvenience for me in preparing for this upcoming semester, and it has held me back from getting things done, which would have been much easier to do using the old system."
Sandy Frieden, exective director of Organizational Change Management and the person in charge of the University’s shift to PeopleSoft, believes in the program, and said students will begin to see the benefits.
"Many people tend to avoid change for as long as they possibly can," Frieden said. "Once we get over the initial discomfort, we will become better at it, until it’s what we’re most familiar and happy with. I’m sure PeopleSoft will be (this) way."
One of the most common problems that students have voiced conerns about is the password system. Complaints of not being able to remember the odd combinations of numbers and letters, having to reset passwords often and having to call the help desk are among the most common.
Alia Mohamed, an English junior, said that the user ID/password system has been nothing but difficult.
"The PeopleSoft user ID is just another number everyone has to remember," Mohamed said. "I liked being able to use my Social Security or HA number. I honestly couldn’t tell you (my PeopleSoft ID number) today. The other main problem I’ve had is that I’ve had to reset my password three times, and I have to log in to the old system just to get my ID for PeopleSoft, so it gets frustrating and annoying."
Frieden also stated that the PeopleSoft system will not be incorporating Social Security numbers at login because of legal issues.
"Everyone might as well learn their new 7-digit PeopleSoft ID," Frieden said. "It will stay with you from now on, even if you come back as an employee in five years."
Another similar problem has been that students are not receiving their passwords after having it e-mailed to them. When this happens, students are usually referred to the IT Help Desk or
the PeopleSoft Student Admin Customer Service Center.
"The IT Help Desk has been very busy because they have been taking all calls for password resets, so I’m not sure how long it takes for a problem to get resolved," Frieden said. "But for ID retrieval, it takes less than a minute for 95 percent of our students."
Ward still found the process troublesome.
"I was put on hold and had to wait between 8-10 minutes for someone to even answer the phone," Ward said. "But after they picked up, it took about one minute. It was still a huge hassle to deal with," Ward said.
Noticing this as a recurring pattern, Frieden said that students should update their profiles with the University by having a current e-mail address on file. When a student logs in to PeopleSoft, they should update their information under "Campus Personal Information."
Student discontent with the program has manifested in a number of ways, including a Facebook group called "Coogs Against PeopleSoft." The group has more than 150 members, and the group’s creator believes that with more members, they can begin a petition to bring back the old system.
According to their information, the creator sees PeopleSoft as "a burden, not a convenience," and urges people to join the group if they feel the same.
Frieden believes, however, that students will adapt to the new program and begin to embrace it. Some students, such as Ky Nguyen, a business administration junior, prefer PeopleSoft over the old program.
"You can navigate this program much easier (than the previous program)," Nguyen said. "The old system had the drop bars which I didn’t like, and PeopleSoft seems to be much more organized and grouped together better."
While some find it to be easier, most complain about PeopleSoft’s lack of user accessibility.
Rebecca Satterwhite, an environmental science junior, does not like the new program and does not see any positive results.
"It’s just less user friendly and more cumbersome (to use)," Satterwhite said. "PeopleSoft runs like outdated technology, and it’s just not very efficient by design."
Some have tried to make an effort to like PeopleSoft, but continue to struggle.
"Since we have to use it from now on, I might as well try to get used to it," Ward said. "I just hate having to figure out a new system when I need to be focusing on registering for my classes on time and getting my semester on track."
Other students, such as Mohamed, just want the old system, Enrollment Services Online, back.
"I just wish that they would go back to the old system so I could no longer be frustrated," Mohamed said.
For more information, call the IT Help Desk at (713) 743-1411 or the PeopleSoft Student Admin Customer Service Center at (713) 743-0356.
