Project Nova is a go

by Beth Haysom

It's all systems go for Project Nova, the major overhaul of UVic's dated and stand-alone information technology.

The university has contracted SunGard SCT and affiliates to be the main supplier of the new technology that will eventually benefit everyone on campus. Phase two, the implementation stage of the $20-million, multi-year undertaking, will begin right away.

"This is a bold decision that will make UVic a leader for its campus-wide technological capabilities," says Jack Falk, vice president finance and operations, who is chair of the Project Nova steering committee. Falk is overseeing the project in consultation with Jamie Cassels, vice president academic.

The steering committee, made up of 22 members representing all the key areas of campus that will benefit from the upgrade—including facilities management, finance, payroll, human resources, alumni and donor information and student records—voted unanimously for the SunGard SCT "Banner" systems after months of exhaustive evaluation.

"It has been a tremendous amount of hard work," says Falk. "I want to thank the members of this committee and the team of eight core reviewers for the excellent and thorough job they have done. It's their huge commitment and dedication to this project that has brought us to this point."

Project Nova staff members are now working with the SunGard SCT team to develop plans for the gradual integration of the new systems over the next three years or so. Watch the website at web.uvic.ca/nova for more information on Project Nova's progress.