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About OneCarolina

OneCarolina is the University of South Carolina's multi-year project for technology transformation. Its primary goal is to replace outdated administrative systems at the University.

The OneCarolina project will modernize, streamline, and enhance administrative services, transforming virtually every administrative system throughout the University's eight campuses. Implementation of the project will be in four phases:

• Student Information Systems - the first phase to be implemented, SIS will develop an easy-to-use web-based system for student records, class selection and scheduling, student financial management, student financial aid, and communication.
• Finance - streamlining financial operations, and increasing connectivity to diverse University systems and projects.
• Sponsored Programs - developing faster identification, development, and submission for programs and research grants, as well as post-award management.
• Human Resources - employment and benefits management.

Improved Systems Means Improved Services

The OneCarolina project will develop and implement secure, interconnected services. Students, faculty, staff, and administrative units will be able to access and share information through an easy-to-use, web-based management system. Greater access to information and the ability to share data in real time means fast, secure information access and sharing throughout the University.

The additional function and technical capabilities and increased efficiencies of the new ERP services will help to enhance USC’s stature and support its primary mission as a multi-campus public institution serving all of South Carolina and educators.

OneCarolina is not just an Enterprise Resource Project (ERP)

The vision of the OneCarolina project is to create a unified system that will be able to share data and process controls between the diverse entities within the University – “One University, One Network, OneCarolina.”

Over the past few decades, administrative systems were implemented throughout the University based on individual needs of different academic and administrative units. This “tailored technology” approach, has resulted in significant challenges when faced with modern demands for information and process sharing. OneCarolina will unify the University’s diverse academic and administrative systems into a single, integrated technology enterprise.

The scale of the OneCarolina project requires a proven methodology for planning, implementation, and management of such a large system. Enterprise Resource Planning, or ERP for short, is a set of planning and management processes that ensure a multi-faceted project will remain coordinated, focused, and flexible. For the University of South Carolina, ERP will synchronize the various enterprise teams, and integrate data and business functions across campuses, colleges, departments and offices. This Enterprise approach is designed to implement the “One University, One Network” model.

As the largest institute of higher education in the state, the University of South Carolina has an enrollment of more than 40,000 students, across eight campuses statewide. The desire of the University is to be positioned as an institution of excellence along with achieving and an even greater national recognition among peer institutions. It is through continued excellence in education, research and community service that USC seeks to fulfill its mission and expand horizons. To read more about the University’s mission statement, please visit http://president.sc.edu/mission.html. 

What is the timetable for OneCarolina?

Most ERP projects take between two and four years for complete implementation. With OneCarolina, however, it is important to know that what counts is not how long the project will take, but how the implementation will improve student, faculty, and staff services at the University of South Carolina. The OneCarolina project has sought to establish schedules that are grounded in responsible planning, and that proceed in a deliberate, stepped fashion - a new step is not taken until the goals of the previous step are accomplished.

Planning for OneCarolina was completed during the 2008-2009 timeframe. This assessment phase, known as fit-gap, recommended changes in software, business processes, and current University systems. With these recommendations, the University has already begun the process of replacing outdated applications, software, and business processes, while preparing to implement a system that will support current and future academic and business demands.

At the end of 2009, the OneCarolina project will begin implementation, starting with Student Information Systems. SunGard Higher Education's Banner system will become the managing system for student recruiting, admissions, registration, billing, cashiering, student records, and financial aid. A new online portal will provide students with access to extensive and more efficient web-based services.

For further information, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page