Ryerson University students frustrated by lengthy lineups at the financial services office won’t be waiting much longer.
Before the fall 2015 semester begins, the university hopes to unveil the ServiceHub, a new area that unites all of the services provided by the Office of the Registrar (RO).
The RO provides most of Ryerson’s student administrative services, such as tuition and fee payments, financial aid, OSAP, admissions and document requests.
The ServiceHub will combine all of these services into one location in Jorgenson Hall.
“The ServiceHub will affect each and every one of you,” said Michelle Green, the project’s manager.
The university is putting approximately $4.3 million into the project and the ongoing costs will be incorporated into the RO’s yearly funding. The amount covers building the space, staff training and implementing new technology, such as a ticketing system.
“You can go away, get a text or email saying you’re three people away, and come back when it’s time for your appointment,” said Green. “So students can actually be productive while they wait.”
According to registrar’s office employee Joanna Zyfi, the RO is also working on putting as many services and forms as possible on RAMSS, and hopes to eventually allow students to book appointments at the ServiceHub online.
“The whole purpose is to eliminate the need to visit multiple counters at the university,” said Zyfi, who is also a fourth-year criminology student and has been helping out with the project. “Right now we know we have to go to a different place for everything. This would get rid of that merry-go-round.”
Over the last year, the RO has conducted two student surveys to determine what direction the hub should take. About 800 students participated in the last survey. According to university registrar Charmaine Hack, the most common feedback they received was on wait times.
The overhaul also means that some of the RO services will become mobile, so that during busy times of the year, some units and staff can be taken out across campus to help students more efficiently.
“This will be way more accessible than what it is right now,” said Thomas Cottrell-Duncan, a business student who filled out the survey.
The university has not yet decided what will happen to space the RO currently occupies in the Podium.
Green said she hopes the space will open on Aug. 1.
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