As the weeks and months wear on, however annoying memorizing a ten-number code is (hint: one of your “numbers” is an E), things should get better.,Two years after Emerson College inked a contract, the Banner system is here, and seeing as the college is still running smoothly, it gets an initial thumbs up.

As the weeks and months wear on, however annoying memorizing a ten-number code is (hint: one of your “numbers” is an E), things should get better. If you’re having login problems, seek help from the Information Technology Help Desk, which has set up a Web page to facilitate a smooth transition.

The techies are friendly folks. We promise.

The college must put students first when they shape campus life. As with anything else, the administration should help students through tough spots so we can focus on our studies and careers, not on troubleshooting technicalities.

This change should come increased communication. The college should be explicit in informing students about the benefits of Banner, thus helping us take full advantage of the services available.

So far, complaints about Banner have been few, suggesting that many students have had success, though a silent majority could be keeping mum.

Some students had trouble registering for classes, checking payroll or even accessing their class schedules, up until a frantic first Monday of the semester. But we have faith that Banner, which is used by hundreds of universities worldwide,

will settle in, and that any initial rockiness will be forgotten as students can add and drop classes, file their payroll

hours and do a variety of other tasks that used to require a meeting.

Emerson’s former administrative systems

were 20 years old, senior to many students, so the switch to Banner is justified. We encourage the college to stay on the right track, making only practical upgrades and avoiding unnecessary extravagances, like blanketing the campus with flat-screen TVs, which have drawn a leery eye before.

Only making changes when needed will save money–and headaches–and will allow the college to focus resources on other needed areas, like investing in faculty and financial aid.

The college, though, needn’t be gun shy. In the past few years, our campus has blossomed and the caliber of our students has grown. To continue this trend, Emerson needs to outstrip our rivals and improve our facilities and academic reputation. We hope the college will strive for high-quality education, not merely pursue a superficial desire to be state-of-the-art.