Mabee Hall

Baker University SIS Update Initiative

Advancing Technology. Protecting Community.

         

Dear Baker Community,

We recognize that recent system challenges have disrupted essential daily functions for students, families, faculty, and staff. These disruptions have lasted longer than expected, and we fully understand the concern and frustration they’ve caused.

This webpage has been created to serve as a central source of information, providing updates, resources, and answers to commonly asked questions.

From conversations with students, parents, staff, and alumni, it’s clear that our communication efforts have not met expectations. Some have felt left out or underinformed. This message is part of a renewed commitment to clarity as we move forward together.

In late 2024, Baker experienced a cybersecurity incident. Our response was immediate and thorough, guided by industry best practices. While most systems were restored quickly, our student information system (SIS), known as Anthology, continues to undergo active redevelopment and testing.

Over the years, the system was customized extensively to meet the university’s evolving needs. These customizations, while valuable, have added complexity to recovery efforts. After assessing the long-term sustainability of our systems, we made the decision to transition to Anthology’s modern, cloud-based platform—a move designed to enhance security, stability, and the user experience.

To guide this work, Baker has implemented a structured project management approach. Our internal project team is working closely with BerryDunn, a nationally recognized consulting firm specializing in higher education systems. Oversight is provided by a steering committee of campus leaders, and technical collaboration continues with Anthology’s support teams. Together, we are executing a phased rollout of SIS components, prioritizing functionality, security, and user access.

Key Areas of Focus

  • Enrollment: Manual processes are in place and functioning. Restoring full SIS enrollment access remains our top priority.
  • Financial aid: While aid was processed manually last semester, efforts are underway to return to standard, timely SIS-based operations.
  • Billing: We successfully implemented a manual billing process last semester and will restore this process in Anthology when possible.
  • Transcripts: Urgent transcript requests are being prioritized. Nonurgent requests may take longer than usual to process. Students with time-sensitive needs should contact the Registrar’s Office for support. We have significantly supplemented our response team with additional resources to reduce response time.
  • Diplomas: Diplomas are issued eight weeks after commencement in May. If a diploma is not issued within that timeframe, students will be contacted individually by the Registrar’s Office.
  • Portal access: The student portal will reopen in phases. We are actively exploring ways to provide limited, secure access to key features, including billing, course schedules, and unofficial grade reports.

Data Security

While our investigation is ongoing, we remain fully committed to complying with all relevant state and federal laws regarding the protection of personal information. We take these responsibilities very seriously, and we have notified two federal agencies and remain in ongoing communication with one of them. If notification requirements arise, we will act accordingly.

Staying Informed

This webpage is your go-to source for reliable updates.

Thank you again for your patience and understanding as we take meaningful steps to strengthen Baker’s digital systems for the future.

Sincerely,

Hoot Gibson
President, Baker University

Frequently Asked Questions

When will Baker be able to process transcripts?

When will I receive my diploma?

Why isn't my student login information for the portal working?

When will the student portal be available?

How do I update my mailing address?

I’m interested in a grade verification letter. How do I obtain one?

The official grade verification letter I received has been rejected by my recipient, and I am up against an imminent deadline. What should I do?

Does being unable to access my transcript mean I have not graduated?

How can I access my final grades from the College of Arts and Sciences?

How can I access my final grades from the School of Nursing?

How can I access my final grades from SPGS or School of Education graduate programs?

How can I access my final continuing education grades?

How can I access my final concurrent credit grades?

How can I access my course schedule?

I am getting an error message when I reset my password. What should I do?

When will I receive my login credentials?

How do I know what my account balance is?

How do I pay my balance?

When did financial aid disbursements begin?

When will I receive my financial aid award letter?

What if I have additional questions or feedback that isn’t addressed here?

         

Contact Directory

General Student Services

DepartmentEmail or WebpagePurpose
Financial Aid Officefinancialaid@bakerU.eduAward letters, aid status, FAFSA, loan and grant question
Registrar’s Officerecords@bakerU.eduTranscripts, grade verification, degree progress, CAS/SON grades
Academic Records (SPGS/GSOE)academicrecords@bakerU.edu Grade verification, academic questions
Business Officebusiness.office@bakerU.eduPayments, balance statements, tuition receipts
IT Help DeskbakerU.edu/help-deskLogin issues, password resets, error troubleshooting
         

By Program or School

Program/SchoolPrimary ContactPurpose
College of Arts & Sciences (CAS)Office of the Registrar
records@bakerU.edu
Transcripts, grades, course schedules
School of Nursing (SON)Cara Bonfiglio
cbonfiglio@bakerU.edu
Grades, course schedules, degree progress
SPGS/GSOE (online & graduate programs)Deb Marszalek
deborah.marszalek@bakerU.edu
Grade posting, verification letters, course schedules
SPGS/GSOEKatie Galbreath (grades)
katie.galbreath@bakerU.edu
CE final grades (non-Moodle)
Continuing EducationCara Aldridge (faculty, schedules)
cara.aldridge@bakerU.edu
CE course scheduling, faculty questions
Concurrent CreditCandi Stewart
candi.stewart@bakerU.edu
Grades, grade submission, transcript guidance
CAS/SON Final Grade Submission (faculty)Ramie Nation
ramie.nation@bakerU.edu
Faculty grade entry guidance (CAS & SON)
         

Governance Structure

A customary project management structure is in place to guide Baker University through the final phases of our student information system (SIS) transition.

Baker has retained BerryDunn, a nationally recognized higher education consulting firm, to serve as our external project manager. Oversight is provided by a Steering Committee, which holds final authority on decisions related to system structure and administrative processes.

Additionally, a dedicated project management team, composed of Baker personnel who work daily within the SIS and understand our academic and operational workflows, supports the initiative from within. We are also supported by professionals from Anthology, our SIS vendor, who is assisting with technical components and system configuration.

Together, these groups are working to deliver a more stable, integrated, and user-friendly student information system (SIS) experience for the Baker community.

Steering Committee

Alan Salts, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Matthew R.  Bice, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost

Cassy Bailey, Vice President of Enrollment

Michael  Aldridge, Senior Information Technology Advisor

Project Management (BerryDunn)

Alton Austin, Project Manager | alton.austin@bakerU.edu

Lauren Brown, Project Manager | lauren.brown@bakeruU.edu

Cross‑Functional Team Leads

Admissions
Morgan Matthews, Director of Enrollment Operations (CAS), morgan.matthews@bakerU.edu

Financial Aid
Jana Parks, Director of Financial Aid, jana.parks@bakerU.edu

Business Office
Darla Prather, Executive Director of Finance,  darla.prather@bakerU.edu

Registrar
Ramie Nation, University Registrar, ramie.nation@bakerU.edu

Information Technology
Erin Berg, IT Director, erin.berg@bakerU.edu

Continuing Education
Cara Aldridge, Executive Director of Continuing Education, cara.aldridge@bakerU.edu

Online & Graduate Programs
Tara Brinkoetter, Director of Online and Graduate Enrollment & Student Services, tara.brinkoetter@bakerU.edu

Marketing & Communications
Brandon Milburn, Executive Director of Marketing and Communications, brandon.milburn@bakerU.edu

         

If you have a question not addressed here, please submit it using the online form. A university representative will follow up to assist you.

Submit a Question