Electronic Attendance
Here at Christ Church, we were recently involved in a
successful pilot project (along with South Bank and
Nottingham) which was instigated by DfES to test various
methods of informing SLC of student attendance by
electronic means. The objective of the exercise was to see
if this could be used to ease the burden on HEIs by
dispensing with Student Loan Cheques issue (and all the
background administration that goes with it). By informing
SLC electronically of attendance, it would trigger payments
to students by BACS.
Our method involved the use of barcode readers which, on
completion of successful registration, were used to scan
the barcode on the student's SLC Payment Schedule Letter
or, if it had been forgotten, to input the SSN. From our
point of view, there were potentially good savings in time
and effort which interested us.
A different method was used by other HEIs involved in the
pilot. (Leeds/Loughborough) and there is a feasibility
study going on at present which is due to report shortly.
The steering group for the project only has representatives
from the participating HEIs in the pilot at present. DfES
is looking to widen the membership of the group so that if
the project proves feasible it can be taken forward with
broader input from HEIs.
If there is anyone who is interested in providing input at
future meetings (the first is tentatively planned for w/c
19 Nov) please let me know and I will forward on your
offer. Obviously, there will be a limit on how many DfES
can accommodate. I have been asked to submit names tomorrow
(sorry about the short notice)
Please reply direct to me so we don't clog up the mailbase.
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Alick Harwood LRAM MISM Dip NEBSM
Student Fees Officer
Canterbury Christ Church University College
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Phone: (01227) 782443
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