University wins APQC award for student electronic services

The University was chosen best practice partner in the area of student electronic services by the American Productivity and Quality Center's Institute for Education Best Practices. The APQC, a non-profit organization founded in 1977, assists businesses, educational institutions, health care systems and government agencies by leveraging knowledge and improving performance through surveys and research. As part of a benchmarking project, APQC evaluated Penn and 41 other institutions on the basis of how well they provide electronic support services to their students. Among the other business and educational institutions included in the survey were Cornell University, the University of Minnesota, the Vermont State College System and the University and College Systems of Nevada and Oregon. According to Marisa Martin, Benchmarking Specialist with the APQC, Penn was selected based on its excellence in providing electronic student services. Some of the student services that Penn provides which most impressed the APQC were Penn in Touch and Career Planning and Placement Services websites. Penn in Touch allows University students to access their transcripts and financial aid information. The website has also added a new feature which allows students to preregister for classes over the computer rather than calling the Penn Automated Registration Information System. CPPS makes job listings and other career-related information available on its website. The University was invited to participate in the project based on its reputation for innovative electronic student services and service delivery. The project evaluated the areas of organizational change management; technology; policy/strategic issue; and performance measurement. John Smolen, Executive Director of the Student Information and Systems at Penn expressed his satisfaction. "We are pleased to be selected as a best practice partner," he said. "We are continually evaluating our services to ensure that they are as effective and efficient as possible, and it is gratifying to receive recognition of this effort from the APQC."