STARMU replaced with myZou

It requires less maintenance and no application downloads.

By Jaryd Wilson

Published March 9, 2007

This semester, students are using the new MU student information system, myZou, to register for fall classes. Registration began Monday, and Student Information System Project Director Brenda Selman said it has been going smoothly.

"Many students are enrolling, and we've heard comments that they like the new system," Selman said. "We've been pleased with the process."

The myZou system replaced STARMU, which Selman said was not as efficient.

"STARMU required that the Host on Demand software be downloaded onto a machine to use it and required large windows of maintenance," Selman said. "It did not interact real time with the financial aid and student financial software."

"Real time" refers to a computer system that updates information at the same time it is received.

Selman said myZou has been a useful tool during the registration process because as students register, classes are updated with the number of seats available and whether they are full.

Another popular item that students can use is the Wish List. The Wish List allows students to search through potential classes and pick a schedule prior to enrollment.

"The Wish List functions as a shopping cart, and you can save classes you want to register for here," said Justin Shepard, an academic adviser for the College of Arts and Science. "It's the easiest way to search for classes, and once your registration date and time have passed, you will have the option to register for classes directly from your Wish List."

The transition has not been flawless, though. Senior academic adviser Jill McReynolds of the School of Journalism sent an e-mail Monday morning to tell students there was a problem with myZou.

"There is a glitch in the new registration system," the e-mail stated. "The Registrar is working on fixing it."

The e-mail stated that the glitch did not originate from myZou, but it was fixed within an hour.

The real time feature of myZou interacts with many other features as well.

"It can be used with any popular browser 24/7, and it is real-time with financial aid and the student financials," Selman said. "It also provides other features, like easy access to adviser names and e-mail, and grid viewing of schedules."

Selman said myZou is easier to access than STARMU.

"It is a Web-based system, so with whatever browser they use to surf the Web, they sign on to myzou.missouri.edu with their PawPrint and password," Selman said. "It's nice because no PIN is needed anymore."

Shepherd said students must complete the UM E-Consent form on myZou before they can access the system.

"The first time you log in, the only link you will see on the left-hand side is UM E-Consent," Shepherd said. "Click this link, read the information and decide whether or not you want to have access to your financial information in myZou."

New features are available for staff members on myZou as well, including electronic grade submission, access to advisee lists, a grid view of the teaching schedule and the ability to export rosters and schedules to Microsoft Excel.