STARS (Academic Information Registration System) has been updated, and the new version coincides with the university’s changes to several academic rules and regulations. BCC has decided to change the entire system completely since technology has progressed greatly since STARS was implemented in 1988. As a result, in addition to an updated look, STARS will have new servers, new interfaces and a new database making the system faster and more accessible.

Instructors have already used the new system to enter grades and students used the new system for course registration. Next year, all students will benefit from the added feature of being able to see which courses they can take or repeat. The New STARS system will have all of the capabilities of the older system, as well as new capabilities such as a weekly time schedule, summer school registration estimator and an announcement board that will facilitate communication between the departments, advisors and the students. Furthermore, all users will be able to see whether or not their announcements have been seen. Additionally, students will be able to plan their academic progress with the added capability of being able to see all of the courses they must take throughout their studies at Bilkent and organize their schedule accordingly resulting in an ability to calculate their semester of graduation.

In addition to academic records, some facilities of the BAIS-std system like the GE 100 results, inquiries into BCC labs printer quotas and SAPS grades and attendance records are being transferred to new the STARS. Next year all BAIS-std system will be transferred to the STARS system and there will be new features like a GPA estimate calculator and other conveniences.

The new SRS (Student Review System) is operational in test mode. From now on every student can access the SRS via http://newstars.bilkent.edu.tr/srs . In order to familiarize students with the new system and compare it with the old system, as well as minimize malfunctions, http://stars.bilkent.edu.tr   can also be accessed for a short time. BCC is expecting and would appreciate your feedback about the new system. Particularly, BCC would like information about browser dependent bugs and useful services that can be added. Send your feedback to: newstars@bilkent.edu.tr 

Yeşim Şağban (IE/III)