It's not just Facebook hackers you'll want to watch out for. The My BSU Web page is a central location for course registration, financial aid and personal information you won't want to share, said Jacquelyn Buckrop, assistant to the provost.
"You're always going to want to sign out because if you don't, it never goes away," she said. "Otherwise the next person to sit at that computer is getting your information."
As it is now, the My BSU page offers tabs labeled Student Academics, Student Life and Student Finances, which basically pull in information that's available elsewhere from links such as Current Students and the Bursar page. The point, Buckrop said, is to make all student information available in one place.
"It's real time," Buckrop said. "There's no waiting. I am told right here, 'I am registered for these courses.'"
In mid-April, the course registration page will go live. Now, students can register for classes in real time and even get their name on a waiting list and check prerequisites without having to search for the information in other locations.
A few weeks ago, Buckrop started making presentations to various departments and residence halls to explain the changes with course registration. A major point in her presentation is explaining the significance of a time ticket, which is the specific window of time in which students can register for classes. The time frame, which will probably be just a few days, is determined by a student's class standing, GPA and characteristics such as being an honors student, athlete or disabled student.
Instead of a course shopping cart, students can now look up classes and add them to what's called a worksheet, from which they can add classes later.
The wait list is another tool to help streamline the registration process. The system will send an email to students telling them if there is an open seat. Students then have 24 hours to respond to the email in order to secure a seat.
"One thing I'm trying to tell students is they're going to have to pay attention to their Ball State email in the summer if they're not here and they're on a waiting list," Buckrop said.
If the course availability is marked with a "C" it means it's closed, and the waiting list is no longer an option.
Since registration is more streamlined, and because other information is also available on the site, it's important not to let your laptop or a lab computer remember your password, Buckrop said.
"If I have access to your schedule, I've also got access to your financial information, to your tax information," she said. "And since you're an employee of the institution, I've also got your social security information, and I don't think anybody wants that danger."
AT A GLANCE
The My BSU page at my.bsu.edu allows students to access their personal information, financial aid and course registration in one place. It will eventually phase out the Current Students tab on the Ball State website.
HOW TO REGISTER (once the link goes live in April)
1. Go to my.bsu.edu, and click on the Student tab
2. Click on Registration Status, and make sure you are clear to register for courses. This field will let you know if you have any holds on your account or issues with your academic standing.
3. Go back and click Look Up Classes. Use the date range option to search for courses, then select the subject you're looking for.
Other options from the Student tab include course add, drop or withdrawal and various ways to view your schedule, including Quick Schedule, Week at a Glance and Full Detail Schedule.
WHAT IT MEANS
Course registration - This takes the place of course request by allowing schedule changes to take effect immediately.
Worksheet - This replaces the course shopping cart and allows students to save classes they're thinking about taking.
Time ticket - This refers to the window of time during which students can set their class schedule. It takes into account class standing, GPA and characteristics such as being an honor student, athlete or disabled student
TIPS FOR SEARCHING
Type the first few letters of the course you're looking for, instead of scrolling through a long list.
Use Control, Command or Shift keys to make multiple consecutive and/or multiple non-consecutive selections from within the subject menu.
Type the % sign to get all the class offerings in that specific level of courses. For example, 1% will give you all the 100-level courses for a given subject.
Check your Ball State email for information on wait list availability and time tickets.
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