Brandon University recently sent out a communique announcing that they are no longer going forward with their development of a new student information system, an effort that took four years and cost the university upwards of $5 million dollars. The multi-year project saw the introduction of the “RenewBU” fee to each term’s student fees (more than $300 a year for-time students!), which was intended to finance the modernization of information systems in respect to finances, registration, and student records. However many, myself included, initially believed the RenewBU fee was intended for the renovation of various buildings and facilities around campus. I believe it is this lack of clarity that may have further exacerbated student reactions to the news of B.U.’s withdrawal from their contract with Anthology Inc., the software developer based out of Boca Raton, Florida and tasked with designing the new student information system. Some students went as far as to say we have nothing to show for a multi-million-dollar project, and that the university should seek a refund from the company. One student, who requested that they remain anonymous, wrote that “those funds could have bought every student the textbooks and supplies they needed for their entire degree, or it could have gone towards a free-at-use cafeteria, scholarships, or even better pay for our instructors.”
Another proposed upgrade to the system would have allowed for the recognition of preferred names in student registration and documentation, which would have allowed students and staff alike to better establish their identity in an academic and professional setting. Although the current student portal does allow for the input of a preferred name, its use is merely superficial, as it does not actually change the name students are registered for classes with. The implementation of a new and improved system has been the subject of ongoing discussions among the student body, and for Linden Haubrick, a student at the university and longtime advocate for greater accessibility for queer students within the system, the news of the university’s withdrawal comes as a major setback to his efforts in getting the university to recognize preferred names. With no new student information system in development, many students find themselves growing increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress in the university’s “unwavering and unambiguous commitment to diversity.”
The frustration experienced by the student body is not exclusive, as David Huberdeau-Reid resigned from the board of governors in the week prior to B.U.’s announcing their withdrawal from the project. In an article published by the Brandon Sun and written by journalists Colin Slark and Matt Goerzen, Huberdeau-Reid stated that “it was revealed to the board of governors in January that Anthology had yet to provide any results” and that “three alternatives were pitched: continue with Anthology, continue with a reduced scope, or cancel the project and work on it in-house.” Indeed, the university did state in an email directed to students that they “are not finding a route to successfully implement the project according to the goals we had set and this will end our relationship with our current vendor, Anthology.” The email comes at a difficult time for many, as the Brandon University Faculty Association (BUFA) is finally proceeding in negotiations with the university over several issues after many weeks without progress.
Unfortunately, I find myself increasingly dissatisfied with the direction the university is going in, and in the wake of the university’s announcement I find myself with more unanswered questions; chief of which is the question of how the university can have nothing to show for a multi-million-dollar project, and how in the four years since the start of the project, Anthology Inc. has been unable to deliver even portions of a completed student information system? As the board of governors begins the surely difficult process of contracting a new developer to tackle the challenge of creating a new student information system, I sought further information on Anthology Inc., and unfortunately, the information that I have found has made me question the efficiency of the board of governors.
Anthology Inc. last made headlines in 2022, when they issued a refund of $850,000 dollars to the Oregon-based Rogue Community College. The software developer was found unable to process financial aid, registration, and other records, forcing the college to part ways with Anthology Inc. and return to their previous student information system while they sought another software vendor to pick up where Anthology Inc. left off. Further research into the company revealed a litany of complaints from current and former employees that date back to 2017, and allege of numerous issues such as poor leadership, poor training, and a lack of technical support that left them unable to support their customers, those being other universities. One employee wrote anonymously, “Whenever I worked there it was awful … although the people were nice, the company seemed to have no structure.” Another wrote “The turnover rate here is really high for a reason. My training group of 20 all quit after a few months because of bad equipment and management.” One student, after discovering Anthology’s contract with Rogue Community College, asked, “If the company has such poor performance, and such a poor track record, why was it even an option to get these systems put in place?”
Anthology Inc.’s refund came two years after Rogue Community College withdrew from their contract with the developer in 2020, the same year in which they were selected by the board of governors at Brandon University to develop our new student information system. I question whether or not the board of governors was aware of Anthology’s failure in their contract to Rogue Community College, or of the numerous allegations of mismanagement that circled the software developer; if they were in-fact aware of these issues, how did that affect their decision-making progress in staying with Anthology through a lack of progress and no sign of a finished product?
Although the future is uncertain for the university’s student information systems, as we now have no foreseeable deadline for when we can expect to see a modernized system by, it is up to the student collective to advocate not only for sensible spending, but increased scrutiny of any companies contracted to perform work for the university. Neither the institution nor its students can afford to finance yet another failed project.