Polaris

Bowdoin is implementing Polaris, a new student information system (SIS) that replaces Bearings and Recruitment Plus (software used by Admissions). Polaris is comprised of Ellucian's portfolio of products, including Banner which is used by several of our peer institutions. The core of Polaris will become available in the fall of 2013.

Polaris will enable us to engage in new practices that will facilitate more effective advising, support academic student planning, and aid faculty and staff in more effective curriculum planning. The processes around admission, course registration, course offerings, room scheduling, degree audit, and grade submission, among others, will have new automated and online components, increasing efficiency as well as efficacy.

Furthermore, Polaris has the potential to integrate other information to support a more student-focused Bowdoin experience. Future enhancements of this system will help ensure that Bowdoin continues to improve processes for faculty, staff, and students.