By Scott Kushner
Editor in Chief

A new web-based information system will allow faculty to more easily send information to their classes, continue discussions beyond the classroom, and even become better acquainted with their students.

The Faculty Class Information System provides professors with a "one-stop shop" where they can access class lists, photographs of their students, and webboard software, according to Ganesan Ravishanker, director of technology support services.

"This is meant to give faculty access to information that in the past they would have to compile from the registrar and other offices," said John Meerts, director of Information Technology Services (ITS).

Although commercial software that serves a similar function exists, ITS decided to develop the system in-house.

"Nobody really asked for this, but we got the idea that this was something people were interested in," said Michael Roy, director of academic computing services.

ITS coordinated the changes with the Dean’s Office, Meerts said.

"Although the idea may have originated here, we wanted to make sure [the Dean’s Office was] comfortable with it," he said.

The Dean’s Office played a minor role in the development of the system, said Dean of the College Freddye Hill.

In an email message sent to all undergraduates Friday, Hill announced the system and explained that students were not obligated to make their pictures available to faculty.

No students have requested that their pictures be removed, Meerts said.

"My personal view is that if you were a student, you would want your professor to have your picture to facilitate communication," he said.

Meerts said a colleague from Cornell University gave him the idea for the photograph database at an industry conference this summer.

A small number of professors tested the system. Ravishanker said early feedback has been positive.

"It’s a loop of interacting with people and giving them what they want," he said.

Duffield White, associate professor of Russian language and literature, said he might use the photograph database to learn the names of students in larger classes.

"I’ve used the name game. I’ve taken pictures myself. You learn about two-thirds of the class and you’ve still got about 10 you’re not quite sure about," he said.

In the future, Meerts said ITS may integrate the Faculty Class Information System software, which is now a set of separate components, on a common start page.

Roy said he expects the component that will allow professors to post syllabi will be available later this week.