College of the Holy Cross is a prestigious liberal arts college located in Worcester, Massachusetts. As a highly selective institution committed to academic excellence, Holy Cross maintains rigorous academic standards and comprehensive curriculum requirements. The college serves a diverse student body with language proficiency requirements as prerequisites for graduation, necessitating sophisticated assessment and placement processes across multiple language offerings.
THE CHALLENGE
The College faced several critical challenges with their existing language placement system:
Technology Obsolescence:
- Current placement exam application was being discontinued by vendor
- Manual, paper-based processes creating administrative burden
- Limited automation capabilities restricting operational efficiency
- Need for modern, digital solution supporting multiple languages
Complex Assessment Requirements:
- Eight different languages requiring unique placement criteria
- Variable assessment methods including exams, questionnaires, and portfolio submissions
- Different placement logic for each language based on student background and proficiency
- Need for sophisticated scoring and automated placement capabilities
Administrative Inefficiencies:
- Manual processing of placement results and course assignments
- Time-consuming communication with registrar for prerequisite updates
- Limited visibility into placement status and outcomes
- Resource-intensive process affecting student services and academic operations
THE SOLUTION
College of the Holy Cross partnered with Gideon Taylor to implement a comprehensive language placement eForm system as their inaugural GT eForms project:
Comprehensive Language Coverage:
- Developed 8 distinct language placement eForms
- Customized each form for specific language requirements and assessment criteria
- Created scalable framework accommodating diverse evaluation methods
- Established consistent PeopleSoft user experience across all language placements
Intelligent Assessment Automation:
- Implemented sophisticated logic determining assessment path based on student responses
- Created dynamic questionnaire system identifying students requiring examination
- Developed automated exam presentation for students needing proficiency testing
- Established flexible framework supporting multiple assessment methodologies
Advanced Exam Functionality:
- Integrated countdown timer providing clear time limits for exam completion
- Implemented automatic form submission upon time expiration
- Created real-time exam scoring based on student responses
- Developed automated score calculation and placement determination
Automated Placement Logic:
- Utilized PeopleSoft test score ranges for accurate course placement
- Implemented code-based placement system ensuring consistent results
- Created automated prerequisite course assignment based on placement outcomes
- Established systematic notification process for registrar course updates
Featured Spanish Placement eForm:
The Spanish Placement eForm, being the most utilized language on campus, showcases advanced features including:
- Dynamic assessment path determination through intelligent questionnaire
- Integrated examination system with time management capabilities
- Automated scoring and placement calculation
- Seamless integration with course prerequisite assignment system
IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS
As the college’s first GT eForm implementation, the project required careful planning and execution:
- Requirements analysis for all eight language placement processes
- Assessment methodology review and automation design
- Form development and testing for each language offering
- Integration with existing PeopleSoft student information system
- User acceptance testing with language department stakeholders
- Training for staff and administrators on new system capabilities
- Go-live support and process optimization
The implementation established GT eForms as a reliable platform for future automation initiatives while demonstrating the technology’s flexibility in handling complex academic processes.
RESULTS AND OUTCOMES
The language placement eForm system delivered transformative results for College of the Holy Cross:
Operational Excellence:
- Eliminated manual placement processes across all eight languages
- Automated exam administration and scoring reducing administrative burden
- Streamlined prerequisite course assignment through systematic notifications
- Enhanced accuracy and consistency in placement decisions
Student Experience Enhancement:
- Provided convenient, accessible online placement system
- Eliminated need for in-person placement sessions
- Delivered immediate placement results and course recommendations
- Improved overall enrollment and course selection experience
Administrative Efficiency:
- Reduced staff time required for placement processing and course assignment
- Automated communication with registrar for prerequisite updates
- Enhanced visibility into placement outcomes and student progress
- Streamlined academic planning and course scheduling processes
Technology Foundation:
- Successfully established GT eForms platform for future automation projects
- Demonstrated technology capability for complex academic processes
- Created framework for additional eForm implementations across campus
- Enhanced overall digital transformation strategy for academic operations
Process Standardization:
- Established consistent placement methodology across all languages
- Improved compliance with academic policy and placement requirements
- Enhanced data accuracy and reporting capabilities
- Created scalable model for future language program additions
KEY BENEFITS DELIVERED
- Comprehensive automation of language placement across 8 different languages
- Sophisticated exam functionality with timing, scoring, and automated placement logic
- Elimination of manual processing and administrative overhead
- Enhanced student experience through convenient online access and immediate results
- Automated prerequisite course assignment and registrar notification system
- Successful establishment of GT eForms platform for future campus automation
- Improved accuracy and consistency in placement decisions and course assignments
- Enhanced operational efficiency freeing staff resources for higher-value activities
- Scalable framework supporting future language program expansion
- Foundation for continued digital transformation in academic operations
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
“The language placement eForms have transformed how we manage one of our most critical academic processes. The automation has eliminated countless hours of manual work while providing students with a much better experience.”
– Tricia Chuplis, Academic Relationship Manager, College of the Holy Cross
“The Spanish Placement eForm showcases the sophisticated capabilities we can achieve with GT eForms. The integrated exam functionality with automatic scoring and placement has revolutionized our largest language program.”
– Chuck Thayer, ERP Systems Specialist for Students, College of the Holy Cross
“As our first GT eForm implementation, this project exceeded our expectations and established the foundation for future automation initiatives across campus.”
– College of the Holy Cross Implementation Team