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Northwestern University

Course Administration

Topics and tools

Course administration systems

Course Leaf Section Scheduler (CLSS)

The Course Leaf Section Scheduler is the primary system for class scheduling at Northwestern. Administrators will use CLSS to submit their course schedules to the Registrar’s Office and Dean’s Office for approval before the official course data is loaded into SES. Departments will now be able to view course data for the five previous years and plan their schedules for the whole year rather than two to three months before the beginning of the term. Using CLSS replaces the Registrar “proof” process beginning Fall 2015.

Student Enterprise System (SES)

The Student Enterprise Systems include CAESAR, CTEC, reporting tools (such as PeopleSoft, Query, and Crystal Reports) and interface with other NU systems. Staff members use the system to access applicant and student related data including admissions, financial aid, student records, and student financial information. Staff log in via a new CAESAR login page.

CAESAR

Students use CAESAR (the Computer Assisted Electronic Student Access Route) to access their records, accounts and financial aid information on the web. CAESAR is also the web interface that students use to enroll in classes. Northwestern University faculty and advisors use CAESAR to access class lists, post grades online, and to access information pertinent to advising. Staff can view quarterly class schedules on CAESAR without logging in.

Crystal Reports

Crystal Reports is no longer available. It has been replaced with two new reports from SES-BI Cognos with real-time data directly from the SES/CAESAR database. These reports pull up-to-the-second data and also allow for more flexibility.

New Real-Time Ses-BI Cognos Report New Report Options (Prompts) Replaces These SES-Crystal Reports
Class Enrollment Summary (real-time data)

-Enrollment Status (open, closed, or both)

-Display (or not) Combined Sections

-Enrollment Total (limit to see courses below a specific enrollment total)

-Exclude Courses

-Class Tabulation

-Class Tabulation WCAS

-Low Enrollment WCAS Acad Group

Permission Numbers (real-time data) -Run Type (by Class or by Department)

-Permission Numbers By Class

-Permission Numbers By Department

SES-BI Reporting and Analytics Solution

The SES-BI Reporting and Analytics Solution is a web-based reporting and analytics solution built on the NU Business Intelligence platform (powered by Cognos BI). It allows users to run pre-existing reports and/or create their own analyses using a supported web browser (Internet Explorer or Firefox). Many of the most popular Crystal Reports have been converted to this system, with plans to convert and create new reports in the future. A list of Crystal Reports that have been converted to the SES-BI system is available on the SES-BI Reporting and Analytics Solution page. Also available:

To obtain access to the SES-BI Analytics System, you will need to submit the SES Student Records access form specifying that you are requesting access to Academic Reports. For questions and/or more information about the SES-BI system, please contact the NUIT Support Center.

Course Management System

Canvas is an online system that allows students and faculty to share documents, submit assignments/tests, and view grades, among other features. Every course has its own section, which is automatically created by the Office of the Registrar. Only the course instructor, teaching assistant, and enrolled students have access to that particular course.

Contact: Canvas Support.

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