UW-Madison shifts to Web-based grades

UW–Madison is shifting to a new Internet-based system for the distribution of student grade reports.

Beginning with final grades for the fall 2001 term, students will be able to view and print official copies of their grade reports through the use of the My UW–Madison portal. The portal is a secure site at which students can also find Web mail, campus calendars and personal information about their class schedule, tuition and housing arrangements.

For the first time, the Office of the Registrar will not automatically send grade reports to the student’s current mailing address. However, free paper copies will still be mailed upon request.

The change is designed to improve access and convenience by allowing students to print official copies of their grades at any time, says Jim Steele, an assistant registrar. The elimination of the mailing will also conserve paper and save money.

“The new system is designed to be very customer-friendly,” he says. “If you look at other universities of our size, very few are still mailing out printed grade reports.”

All students will receive e-mail before Saturday, Dec. 8, explaining procedures for the new system. Grades for the term should be posted and available for printing on the site before students return for the spring term Jan. 22.

To access grades after logging into My UW–Madison, students should click on the “My Record” link. A new feature on the page will allow students to print their own grade report for the current term or any past term. Printed reports will not be available until grade processing has been completed for the term.

To receive a mailed grade report, students need only to check the marked box in the “My Record” section and one will be mailed to the student’s current mailing address within one week. However, students who want a mailed copy of grades in the future must make a new request during or after each term.

Students requiring additional copies of their grade reports at any point can simply print extras from the “My Record” section or, if they haven’t done so already, request a mailed copy.

Use of the new service requires registration and access to the MY UW–Madison student portal. To gain access, follow the log-in instructions at the portal Web site or contact the DoIT help desk, (608) 264-HELP.

In addition, students will continue to be able to access their grades through the EASI (Extended Access to Student Information) system. Phone access to grades through the Touchtone system is also available at (608) 263-2222.

For more information about the new system, call the Office of the Registrar at (608) 262-3811 or e-mail Jim Steele.