A: As the spring semester comes to an end, the University is preparing for the final transition to LionPATH, the new student information system that will replace ISIS. LionPATH will provide students with access to academic, registration and financial records. Faculty and staff will use the new system to manage admissions, grades, billing and finances; course scheduling; and transcript and advising records.
Student financial aid verification capabilities were added to LionPATH in April. Students selected to verify their FAFSA information will be notified by email, instead of receiving forms by U.S. mail. The email contains Web links for students to use to learn what information to provide and print the necessary forms. These web links also are available in LionPATH in the “To Do” section. All signed, completed forms must be returned to Penn State’s Office of Student Aid.
The faculty center feature of LionPATH is scheduled to go live in June and will give faculty access to teaching schedules, class rosters and the course catalog. Staff also will be able to build schedules for upcoming semesters through this feature.
The adviser center in LionPATH has been live since mid-February. Users with access can review the academic records of their advisees or other students. Undergraduate advising rosters were converted from ISIS/eLion in mid-February, and will be converted again for the final time in early May. At this time, adviser assignments should transition from ISIS/eLion to being created in LionPATH. Additionally, graduate adviser assignments will be coming to LionPATH in May. Additional information regarding updates and functionality will be communicated as implementation continues.
Degree Audits in LionPATH are being manually coded for undergraduate majors — baccalaureate and associate — and minors, graduate degree requirements and the law careers. LionPATH will meet with college representatives over the spring and summer to have the audits validated for accuracy. Full release, including to students, is on track for the start of the fall 2016 semester. Current degree audits remain available in eLion at this time, and should be used in conjunction with a student’s class schedule in LionPATH.
At the end of the spring 2016 semester, LionPATH will reconvert spring classes and student enrollment data. Summer 2016 enrollments will be updated in May and once again in August to ensure information is complete and accurate. In August, LionPATH will include grade rosters so that faculty will be able to assign student grades for fall 2016.
A mobile app is being developed for the student center feature of LionPATH and will be available soon for iOS and Android devices.
By the end of 2016, the University will be fully transitioned out of ISIS, and LionPATH will become the system of record. Additional information regarding the complete transition from ISIS to LionPATH will be communicated as it becomes available. For more information about Project LionPATH, visit http://projectlionpath.psu.edu/ or email projectlionpath@psu.edu. Individuals experiencing specific issues with the system should email lionpathhelp@psu.edu to open a Service Now ticket.