FAQs

What is Compass?

Compass is a new student information system and related financial aid component being launched at Texas A&M University. The university purchased the system, a software application product, from SunGard Higher Education. SunGard is a leading provider of software for higher education student, HR, and finance systems, with more than 1,600 clients worldwide. Many major universities utilize SunGard systems, including most universities in the Texas A&M University System. Compass is currently being implemented at the university for its campuses in College Station, Galveston, and Qatar. Compass will eventually replace the university’s current system, SIMS (student information management system).

Who manages the Compass project?

The Enterprise Information Systems (EIS) department and project team are responsible for the implementation and maintenance of Compass as well as SIMS throughout the transition from one system to the other. The team includes technical staff as well as functional staff representing various Texas A&M offices that use the systems. Committees providing direction and guidance on the project include the EIS Council, EIS Executive Committee, and EIS Steering Committee.

How is Compass different from SIMS?

Compass features user-friendly forms (screens) organized in handy folders, and will feature robust reporting and analysis tools. Eventually, Compass will offer some additional functionalities for faculty and advisors. The Compass screens will look different from the screens in SIMS, and information will be displayed differently. The menus and the wording of certain fields will change. Therefore, users will need to change the way they perform certain job functions and will receive extensive training in using Compass.

Will I receive training to use Compass?

Faculty and staff who use Compass will be required to receive training before using the system. For the most part, training will be conducted in classroom settings by Compass experts in home departments. Your supervisor will notify you when you are scheduled to receive Compass training.

How do I get a Compass account?

Since Compass is being launched in stages, employees are being notified at different times to receive Compass training and accounts. You will be notified approximately two months prior to the go-live of the Compass module that you will need to perform your job-related duties in the system. After you complete Basic Navigation training, you will receive your Compass account. You will then be notified to take additional training. Most likely you will receive this training in a classroom setting from instructors in your home department. Some training may be offered online.

What can I do to get ready for my Compass account?

If you know that you will eventually receive a Compass account, you can go ahead and take some steps to get ready. Prerequisites include knowing your NetID and password, acquainting yourself with the Howdy web portal, and completing FERPA training. For more information about these steps, on this EIS web site, click "Training," then "About Training."

How will faculty, staff, and advisors access SIMS during the transition?

Academic advisors and others who currently use SIMS will continue accessing and using that system through Hummingbird on their office computers.

When will Compass replace SIMS?

Compass is being implemented in phases. For example, beginning in fall 2008, certain offices including Admissions began using Compass to process new student applications and related processes. See the tentative Go Live schedule. SIMS will continue to be the primary student information system at Texas A&M until it is fully deactivated in fall 2009, the target date for full implementation of Compass.

How does the Howdy web portal fit in with Compass?

The Howdy web portal is a companion piece to the Compass student information system. The university purchased the portal software from SunGard Higher Education as part of its purchase of the new student system. Howdy is the "front door" to Compass. Therefore, employees with Compass accounts need to log in to Howdy to perform functions in Compass. Eventually, students and applicants will also need to log in to Howdy to perform functions in a self-service version of Compass. The student information in Howdy will be populated, behind-the-scenes, by Compass. The Howdy web portal is located at https://howdy.tamu.edu.

Where do I find Compass in the Howdy web portal?

If you are a Texas A&M University employee and have a Compass account, log in to the Howdy web portal at https://howdy.tamu.edu and click the "Employee" tab. If you have a Compass account, you will see a channel titled Compass that includes a link to the system. If you are NOT a Texas A&M University employee and have a Compass account, log in to the Howdy web portal at https://howdy.tamu.edu and click the "Home" tab. If you have a Compass account, you will see a channel titled Compass that includes a link to the system.

How do I get help with Compass?

If you have a question about Compass, see Compass Help. You'll see a list of topics and email addresses to help guide you to the staff member best equipped to answer your question.