Powering Financial Aid and Student Financials with Equation Engine

Presenter: Vic Goldberg - University of Colorado

Focus Area: Student Technology Portfolio

Equation Engine is heavily used in both Financial Aid and Student Financials for some of the most important and complex parts of the system. Financial Aid uses Equations to package students as well as build complex budgets. Student Financials uses Equations as part of Tuition Calc.

 
In this session, we will learn how to use Equations starting from ground zero. You will learn how to set variables, pull data from a single table, as well as use Equation SQLs to access more complex data from the system. When you are done with this 3 hour session, you will be able to read and understand equations that already exist in your system, be able to make changes to them, and be able to create new equations.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the pieces of the Equation Engine language, and use them to create and modify Equations.
• Use the FIND FIRST/FIND NEXT constructs to pull data into an equation from a single table.
• Use Equation SQLs to pull complex information into an equation.

Technical & Reporting Student Information System (SIS)

PS Query - Unions and Other Cool Features

Presenter: Lee Raubolt - Truckee Meadows Community College

Focus Area: Student Technology Portfolio

Objective: Does your team frequently run multiple queries in PeopleSoft and then manually merge the data in Excel? Are you exporting data across various systems that require complex, time-consuming queries? In this session, we’ll demonstrate how Union Queries can streamline your processes, allowing users to run a single query to access all necessary data. This not only saves time but also reduces manual errors and duplication.

Attendees will learn: How to create and use Union Queries to combine multiple datasets into one, simplifying the query process for end-users. Practical techniques for optimizing query performance, including tips on using optional and default prompt values. How to leverage Excel Pivot Tables for data comparison after extracting data from PeopleSoft. Key strategies for building queries that minimize the need for data cleaning and manual merging in Excel.

Unique Angle: What sets this session apart is its focus on real-world examples and practical solutions. Drawing from our experience with integrating PeopleSoft and third-party software for class survey administration, we’ll explore challenges like data cleanliness and query efficiency. Our approach includes innovative methods for merging faculty and student data, reducing the need for tedious data manipulation in Excel, and improving overall data integrity. We will also use a lot of "expressions" to massage the data as needed.

Engagement: This session will be hands-on and interactive. Participants will engage in real-life problem-solving scenarios, brainstorm query-building techniques, and work through practical examples. We’ll also incorporate storytelling, showcasing how we addressed challenges when importing data from CANVAS, and the steps we took to streamline processes. Whether you’re a beginner or have intermediate PeopleSoft skills, you’ll leave with actionable insights.

Learning Objectives:

• Master the Use of Union Queries: Attendees will learn how to create and apply Union Queries in PeopleSoft to combine multiple datasets into a single query, streamlining data extraction and reducing manual work.
• Optimize Query Design: Participants will explore advanced query-building techniquesto enhance query performance and usability for end-users.
• Analyze Data with Excel Tools: Learn how to effectively use Excel Pivot Tables to compare and analyze PeopleSoft data, improving the process of data consolidation and ensuring cleaner, more reliable data for reporting and decision-making.

Finance Human Capital Management (HCM) Public Sector (PSUG) Student Information System (SIS) Technical & Reporting

Security 101: Getting Started in Your Security Role

Presenter: Mishelle Denton - University of Kansas & Denise Goin - Sierra-Cedar

Focus Area: Elevating "U"

New to Security? This Session is Your Perfect Starting Point! Join us for an engaging and practical presentation designed to set you up for success in your security role. Here’s what we’ll cover:

• Core Responsibilities & Best Practices: Understand your role’s key responsibilities and learn best practices to create a secure, resilient environment.
• Security Building Blocks: Master essential security components like Row Level (SACR), Query, and Fluid to manage data securely and effectively.
• Practical Troubleshooting & Key Terms: Get hands-on troubleshooting tips and familiarize yourself with critical security terminology to strengthen your problem-solving skills.
• Communication Made Easy: Discover how to translate complex security concepts into clear, simple language that bridges gaps with technical and functional teams.
• Setting Realistic Goals: Learn strategies to set achievable goals and manage expectations with your technical colleagues, fostering better teamwork and results.
• Navigating Technical Constraints: Gain insights into common technical limitations and learn ways to work within them, empowering you to add more value to projects.

Prepare to hit the ground running in your new security role! Don’t miss this essential session—unlock the tools you need to succeed!

Learning Objectives:

• Understand Security Responsibilities and Best Practices.
• Introduction to the Building Blocks of Security.
• Develop Troubleshooting Skills and Familiarity with Key Terminology.

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Finance Human Capital Management (HCM) Project and Change Management (PCM) Public Sector (PSUG) Student Information System (SIS) Technical & Reporting

Simulating If/Then Logic in Advisement Reports: Two Case Studies

Presenters: Allison McElfresh, Matthew Dreitlein, Tiffany Chau & Laura (Katie) Brown - Northern Virginia Community College

Focus Area: Integration Strategies

The PeopleSoft Academic Advisement module does not include If/Then logic within the Academic Advisement degree audit tools. NOVA's faculty created curriculum with program requirements that were only necessary in certain situations (e.g., to meet a minimum credit threshold). A deep understanding of the various Line Item types and Line Item Parameters available within an Academic Requirement was needed to craft a way of implementing these curricula that was both accurate and easy for students and advisors to follow. This workshop will provide an overview of the initial curriculum challenge, the lessons learned while trying to devise a solution, the resultant design patterns, and the creative If/Then logic in other programs these new design patterns have allowed. Participants will be encouraged to identify curriculum situations at their own colleges that might benefit from a similar approach. Towards the end of the workshop, discussion of alternative approaches will be encouraged.

 
The first hour will present the Case Studies above. The second hour of the workshop will introduce checklists and worksheets to take a curriculum example that could benefit from if/then logic, analyze that example to verify that this method would be a good fit for it, break it out into the necessary requirement lines on paper, and determine the correct settings for each line to make it display in the desired way. Curriculum examples will be provided for people to practice on, and alternatively, if participants desire they can bring an example from their own college to use during the workshop. Scaffolding and support will be provided as participants work through the process of applying the principles covered in the first hour using the rubrics and analysis tools provided in the second hour to their selected curriculum item.

The third hour would ideally focus on actually configuring in one or two of the analyzed curriculum items, displaying examples of the resultant reports, and a discussion of the challenges and issues encountered during the analysis and configuration process.

Learning Objectives:

• Attendees will gain an in depth understanding of the various Parameters and Line Item Parameters available within a People Soft Academic Advisement Academic Requirement with a focus on Credit Include Mode and the various Display Controls.
• Attendees will gain an understanding of how to use the AND/OR connector types to combine lines with various parameter settings to create simple If/Then logic within their Academic Requirements.
• Attendees will be able to analyze the impact that various Display Control options will have on the display of a complicated multi-line OR requirement to select an effective way to display the requirement on an advisement report.

Technical & Reporting Student Information System (SIS)

From Policy to Documentation: The Business Analyst’s Journey in Processing NSLDS Files

Presenter: Jessica Holler - DePaul University

Focus Area: Elevating "U"

Join Us for a Dual-Focused FA/BA Workshop!

 
Are you a financial aid professional eager to deepen your understanding of NSLDS files? Or a business analyst interested in learning how to transform an institution's policy statements into documented business practices? This workshop is tailored for you!

In this interactive session, we’ll explore the critical aspects of processing NSLDS files and discuss the business analyst's role in bridging policy and practice. Whether you work directly with financial aid or are simply curious about the process, your insights and participation are invaluable.

Come prepared to engage, share your perspectives, and enhance your skills in a collaborative environment.

Learning Objectives:

• Develop a Comprehensive Understanding of NSLDS Functionality within PeopleSoft Campus Solutions.
• Learn How to Effectively Translate Policy into Practice.
• Develop a General Understanding of the Role and Responsibilities of a Business Analyst.

Student Information System (SIS) Project & Change Management (PCM)

Get Your Hands Dirty: Level Up Your GT eForms Skills

Presenters: Lynette Chaudoin & Jay Jorgensen - Gideon Taylor

Focus Area: Innovative Workplace

Ready to take your GT eForms skills to the next level? Join us for an interactive, hands-on, high-energy session where you'll discover how our consulting experts tackle the toughest form challenges. Functional and technical users are both encouraged to attend!
Just a few of the things we’ll explore:

• Configurable CIs: This is a must-have NEW solution, and you will be among the very first to learn to use it. Configuration-based, functional setup!
• Chat it up: Configure the AI digital assistant, Ida, to answer users' questions and take them right into the form.
• Do it en masse: Manage large data sets using batch upload and mass update.
• Style makeover: Style your forms for maximum impact.
• Modal Windows: Multi-select, advanced search, and more.
• PeopleSoft Insights for GT eForms: Visualize form data with quick start templates.

Don’t miss this opportunity to unlock powerful tools that can elevate your productivity and transform the way you work with GT eForms.

Learning Objectives:

• Configure a component interface.
• Understand how your GT eForms can use Ida.
• Be inspired to automate your next business process.

Finance Human Capital Management (HCM) Leading Change Public Sector (PSUG) Student Information System (SIS) Technical and Reporting