Updated directory has glitches, errors
The online MSU People Directory has a different look, but university officials are working to correct minor glitches that are affecting the new system. Most students are being displayed as one grade level higher than they actually are. Rich Wiggins, senior information technologist for Academic Computing & Network Services, said the problem should be sorted out shortly, and students shouldn't be confused that they somehow received bonus credit. "If I were a junior, I would not suddenly assume that I had been awarded senior status," he said. The changes, which were implemented late last month, were designed to boost the system's speed and performance, Wiggins said. Previously, when a person was searched by name, the directory would immediately scan the server to see if that person had a personal Web page. Wiggins said this process was time-consuming and largely unnecessary because few people use the directory primarily to find these sites. "Most people, when doing a search, are looking to see if you have an e-mail address or what your phone number is," he said. The new directory lists only a person's name, e-mail address, local phone number and college after an initial search.