UC Implements Consolidated Web Calendar
by Cindy Fort
The University of Cincinnati is implementing a consolidated web calendar. Several years ago, UC purchased the software package, Series25, from CollegeNET in Portland, Oregon. Series25's main component, Resource25 (R25), is a single database which all colleges and departments can use to schedule their events. UC will use R25 for both academic and non-academic events.
The College of Medicine and Clermont College have used R25 successfully for several years, but each college has used the database in an isolated fashion. Presently, we are in the process of merging all existing data together.
At the same time, two different areas, CCM and Campus Scheduling, are beginning to use the consolidated R25 database.
Behind-the-scenes, UCit has loaded data for over 850 rooms into the database. As operating units identify more rooms on campus, UCit will continue to add information.
The security system for R25 is very comprehensive and allows complete control over "spaces" and "events." We have set up database security so that each department can assign its own rooms to events, but cannot assign other rooms. When someone creates an event "draft," the system sends a room request to the person with authority to schedule that room. If the room request is approved, the system will notify the requestor via email.
The most visible and exciting component of Series25 is the WebViewer, which displays events stored in the database. Tied directly to the R25 scheduling engine, the WebViewer will let the University publish fast, flexible, comprehensive views of campus events. The WebViewer will be the engine behind the main UC web calendar. As more colleges and departments start using the R25 database, you can expect to see more events listed there.
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