Press Release Results: Information Technology Helps Streamline Transcript Request Process

Press Release Results: 
- Utah State Today- USU Information Technology Helps Streamline Transcript Request Process
- The Herald Journal- USU students can get transcripts faster, cheaper

For Immediate Release
October 22, 2012
Contact: Karlie Brand, IT Communications Assistant karlie.brand@usu.edu 

USU IT Helps Streamline Transcript Request Process 
Applying for grad school or transferring schools can be difficult, but sending USU transcripts as part of the application process doesn’t have to be. Requesting and sending a USU transcript is now faster, less expensive, and easier than ever, thanks to a combined effort by USU Registrar’s office, Information Technology department, and the National Student Clearinghouse. Roland Squire, USU Registrar, said the Registrar’s office is “really, really excited” about the updated process co-developed by USU IT and the Clearinghouse which allow students to request and send their transcripts electronically through their USU Access/Banner account for only four dollars per transcript. Transcripts are then sent automatically within 15 minutes of the request. “Previously, transcript requests were sent to the Clearinghouse and then sent back to our office to be processed manually.” Squire said. “It’s now a very automatic process.” Setting up the new process, however, was not automatic. Squire said IT’s role was “huge” in co-developing the original beta program with the National Student Clearinghouse to make the new simple process a reality. “A lot of work was done by our IT folks here working with the Clearinghouse to make it happen. The IT folks have been awesome to work with,” Squire said. Carl Ellsworth, IT data operations team lead, said IT has been working on developing and streamlining the transcript ordering process since 2005, and that the latest update is a great improvement. “It may not be very different from a student’s perspective, but the difference in technology is huge,” Ellsworth said. “It’s now completely automated, hands-off process.” Squire said all institutions of higher education in Utah accept the electronic transcripts through the Clearinghouse, and are being accepted by more and more institutions across the nation. For fifty cents more, students also have the option to send a secure PDF transcript. “The benefit to the student is faster delivery of transcripts and more options, the PDF option being a big one for students. Another big benefit is being able to order online, students don’t have to make a trip to the Registrar’s office or send a mail order,” Squire said. USU was one of three Clearinghouse pilot schools and the second to go live with the new streamlined process. Squire said the Clearinghouse would now market and integrate the USU IT developed transcript system to all schools that use Banner. For more information, please contact Kevin Reeve, USU IT Enterprise Architect at kevin.reeve@usu.edu, or Roland Squire at roland.squire@usu.edu.

About USU Information Technology Information Technology provides world-class IT support to the students, faculty and staff at Utah State University. IT Enterprise Data Operations is responsible for designing, building, and maintaining databases across campus, including Banner SSB. For more information, see https://it.usu.edu.
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