You've probably been hearing rumors about a new way to get your transcript history information. So what does all this mean, how did it get started, is it secure, and what's next? Well, you're asking a lot of questions, but they're all good ones. Let's take them one at a time.
Bulldog Access is about using computers, networks, and point and click interfaces to get information out of databases and into the hands of students. Essentially, its purpose is to give students easy access to information they need. By providing this we are trying to keep them out of long lines in various administrative offices as well as save them a lot of time. When a student calls or comes into an office to find out whether the missing grade has arrived or the financial aid packaging is complete, most often the administrator looks up the information in some database. Bulldog Access captures all these databases and presents the information to the student in an easy and secure manner. Access is currently limited to Macs on the Yale network, but will be extended to Windows PCs by the end of 1995.
Bulldog Access uses a networked computing architecture that was originally developed by Cornell University. Cornell began Project Mandarin in April of 1990 with support from Apple Computer and assistance from Penn State and M.I.T. The project goal was to provide end-user access to data stored in Enterprise database systems. The services provided by Mandarin would deliver information to members of the University community. The project was completed at Cornell in late 1993, at which time Cornell offered its architecture and assistance to other universities via a Mandarin Consortium, of which Yale is a founding member.
As a consortium member, Yale meets twice a year with the other 16 universities to discuss future enhancements to the Mandarin technologies. There is also a sharing of creative ideas so that we can build on each other's efforts. Yale is also represented on the consortium's steering group, which sets annual fees, charts major directions, and decides which other schools and/or corporations should be allowed to join the consortium as associate members.
We understand what you're saying. All this valuable, private information is being passed along the network, and you're concerned that others might see it. Your own secrecy determines how secure your information is. If someone knows your network identification (NetID, or the name you use to log onto Minerva) and password, they might have access to your information. We added another level of security to Bulldog Access when we rolled it out to Yale College on January 9th of this year. All undergraduates need a NetID, password, and a personal identification number (PIN) to be able to use Bulldog Access for the first time.
By registering with the PINs, students are declaring that they feel secure about the privacy of their passwords. And if they do not, they are presented with a menu option, from which they can change their password. Students are encouraged to change their password as often as they feel necessary. It's just like changing all the locks on your home, only it's fast and free. The new password will be used the next time the student logs into any other system (e.g., Minerva, SLIP) that uses that NetID.
Bulldog Access uses a security scheme called Kerberos, which was developed and is continually enhanced by M.I.T. Some functions, like help screens, require no security. Others, like grades, require that the user have a NetID and password to access the information. The password is sent in an encrypted manner to a Kerberos server, which authenticates each user.
When you see a key on the menu screen, it means that the computer is able to look at any information that you are authorized to see. You should not leave the computer with this key still visible on the screen. To de-authorize the computer, simply click on the key. A message will verify that the computer no longer has authorization, and the key will disappear.
Kerberos authentication icon
Bulldog Access can be used on Macs in any of the computer clusters (e.g., computer rooms in the Residential Colleges, Cross Campus Library, Connecticut Hall, 175 Whitney Ave., etc.) on campus. On the hard disk there is a folder called "Information Services." Inside the folder is the "Bulldog Access" icon. Double-click on that icon and you're on your way.
Bulldog Access icon
Currently Bulldog Access provides grade information to over 8,000 students, including all of Yale College and the Graduate School. Address information is also provided to Graduate students, allowing them to change key address information on-line.
Soon, students will be able to use Bulldog Access from their dorm rooms and even over phone connections. Secure access is our primary concern during this widespread rollout, and we are continually strengthening our protocols in order to provide more convenient and distributed use of Bulldog Access.
We wish you would. On the main menu of Bulldog Access, there is a menu option entitled "Give Me Your Comments" that dozens of students have already used. It creates a mail message from you to the system administrator. Your constructive criticisms will pave the future of the development of Bulldog Access.
Displaying academic information is just the start. We are considering showing addresses (and letting the students change them on-line), in addition to financial aid, bursar and student loan information. Right now we are studying how students would want to obtain information in these areas, and how they would want the information presented. Our goal is to make life easier for the students.
You're probably wondering how we would get these new functions out to every Mac, and soon every Windows PC, on the network. Well, that's a good question, but we have that figured out too. When we create a new function, e.g., financial aid information, a Mac program gets created. We put that program on our server and add a menu option for it on our master menu. The next time you start Bulldog Access, the server checks the versions of your Bulldog Access files versus the versions on our server and automatically downloads new or changed programs so you're always up to date.