Through the development of integrated databases and other processes, the shared system initiative will allow universities to share information more easily and to quickly implement “best practices” learned from each other.

“This new system will bring tremendous benefits and opportunities to our campuses,” said Board Chairman Charles A. Gomulka. “It will permit our universities to work closer together while improving the vital services they provide to our students and our faculty. This is an important step forward for the future of the State System.”

The shared system is expected to be developed over a period of five to seven years, with at least five universities – Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Kutztown and Shippensburg Universities of Pennsylvania – beginning the process almost immediately. Other universities will begin the transition to the new system over the next several years.

The GartnerGroup, a consultant hired to examine the State System’s administrative systems needs, has suggested that over the next 10 years the installation of a shared system will save the universities a combined $29 million over what they would have had to spend if they continued to design and purchase individual campus systems.

“This is another step in the reengineering of the State System to better serve the Commonwealth,” said Chancellor McCormick. “It will require the best efforts of the leadership, faculty and staff to implement this new network, but the advantages to everyone will be significant.”

The shared system will create an integrated computer network among the universities, including the four branch campuses, and the Dixon University Center, which serves as the headquarters for the State System.

"We are committed on behalf of our campuses to the success of this important, long-range project,” said West Chester University of Pennsylvania President Madeleine Wing Adler, who serves as chair of the State System’s Commission of Presidents. “When fully implemented, it should benefit us all.”

The selection of Unisys/SAP to work with the universities on the development and installation of the shared system was made after an extensive review process, which began more than a year ago with a Request for Qualified Contractors (RFQC). The RFQC process identified three potential vendors, from which Unisys/SAP was selected.

Final terms of the contract with Unisys/SAP are still being negotiated. Once those negotiations are complete, the contract will be submitted to the state Office of Attorney General for final approval.

"As Pennsylvania-based companies, both Unisys and SAP are pleased to enter into a partnership with the State System for Higher Education to apply technology designed to meet their goals,” said Kevin Curry, vice president and general manager for Unisys North America Public Sector. “We are excited about this partnership and implementation, which serve to substantially reinforce the Unisys commitment to serving the higher education market.”

The effort to create a shared administrative system is not unique in higher education, nor is the collaboration with Unisys Corp.

The California State University System announced earlier this week it has hired the company to run its newly unified administrative computer system. In California, Unisys will be responsible for managing a single data center that will replace the 20 separate computer centers currently in operation across the state. The new, high-speed computer network will link the 23 Cal State campuses and the state’s community colleges.

Installation of the shared system on the State System of Higher Education campuses will require the purchase of both computer hardware and software. The intent is to create a system that is compatible across all of the universities while remaining flexible enough to meet each of the campuses’ individual needs.

“This is a unique opportunity for the campuses to work together to provide direct input into the redesign of their common administrative processes,” said Neil Renaldi, director of integrated information systems. “The end result will be improved efficiency and better service.”

The shared system is expected to be able to handle a variety of routine operating functions, including admissions, registration, student billing and financial aid, human resources and payroll, accounting and budgeting. A data repository, or “warehouse,” also will be developed to allow for the consolidation and analysis of all data collected by the universities. Currently, when composite data is requested by the Office of the Chancellor, individual data requests must be sent to each of the universities and the data then must be inputted separately once it is received.

The implementation plan for the shared administrative system and data warehouse was developed under the direction of David P. Holveck, chair of the Board’s Information Technology Committee.

With more than 96,000 students, the State System of Higher Education is the largest provider of higher education in the Commonwealth. Its 14 universities offer more than 250 degree and certificate programs in more than 120 areas of study. More than 360,000 System alumni live and work in Pennsylvania.

The state-owned universities are Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, Indiana, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock and West Chester Universities of Pennsylvania. The System also operates branch campuses in Clearfield, Kittanning, Oil City and Punxsutawney and several regional centers, including the Dixon University Center in Harrisburg and the University Center for Southwest Pennsylvania in Pittsburgh. The regional centers are part of the Educational Resources Group, which is responsible for coordinating statewide programming.