Say hello to the new and improved MyUGA.

EITS is beginning a multi-phase upgrade of MyUGA Monday, starting by updating the system’s software and hardware.

“Our current MyUGA runs on old, unsupported technology,” said Rehan Khan, associate chief information officer for EITS, in a phone interview Wednesday. “So we are upgrading the MyUGA student portal with new technology and new software that is much better than what we currently have.”

The new MyUGA will include links to social networking and search sites, such as Facebook, Twitter and Google, Khan said.

“[The new software] also allows you to personalize the [Web site] to your liking,” he said. “Basically you can select the type of information you want to appear. You can drag and drop different windows within the [Web site.]”

MyUGA, originally launched in 2003, provides students access to e-mail, course information, campus news and events. The Web site averages 42,000 logins a day, according to a Feb. 15 EITS press release.

Khan said the new software – uPortal – is more flexible and can provide students with extended services quicker.

He said uPortal will allow students to navigate many sites without having to sign into their MyUGA accounts multiple times.

“[Students] sign on to the [Web site] and can go to many different applications without having to log on again,” said Khan, who is overseeing the upgrade.

For example, students can navigate from MyUGA to UGAMail and WebCT without having to sign in again.

Khan said he hopes OASIS will also be a part of the single sign-on feature.

Khan said EITS tested the new software with a few student groups on campus who “were all very excited about what they saw.”

These groups included the Student Government Association, Society for Management Information Systems, UGAnet and the Information Technology Management Forum.

The MyUGA that students see when they log on today is supported by hardware and software that is more reliable and more easily customizable, Khan said.

“There’s a lot of new functionality,” he said. “And a better channel layout.”

Students, faculty and staff will get a chance to voice their opinions on the new software through Aug. 1. In the next phase of the upgrade, EITS will hold focus groups and survey students, faculty and staff to find out what other features and services they would like added to the new site.

“Our phase two goal is to work more with our students, faculty, SGA and others to identify other student-related information that they want at their fingertips,” Khan said. The Application Development and Database Management unit of EITS will then prioritize and implement the features and services as feasible, according to the EITS news release.

The final phase, beginning Aug. 15, will be a continual project for improving MyUGA and implementing any services and features that were not executed during the second phase.

“I think the benefit, immediately, would be that it’s just easier to use and it will offer [students] more services,” Khan said. “The look and feel is more modern. It looks more like when you visit more contemporary Web sites, like Yahoo.”