Updates and new features in APLUS
Users can now add student notes using rich text formatting in calendar appointments. To revert to plain text, simply click the PLAIN label at any time.
We've recently deployed a feature that allows unit coordinators to batch update incomplete appointments or drop-ins by setting their status to "Unknown." This new status can also be applied when updating individual contacts within a student’s profile, one at a time. It's intended for situations where an adviser is no longer with the unit and has left behind multiple incomplete appointments, or similar cases. However, it is not meant to replace the proper completion of appointments, which includes adding appropriate notes and setting the correct status. This is located in the Appointments section of the navigation bar:
APLUS Question of the Month
Where can I find more information about upcoming training and help resources?
Be sure to check out the Training videos, FAQs, and find all the past APLUS content from Advising Updates in the APLUS News & Updates section. Email aplustraining@umn.edu with any questions, or to set up a custom group training for your unit.
Updates and new features in APLUS
Coordinators now have an easy way to unenroll their unit from APLUS Referrals. If your unit is currently enrolled, an "Unenroll” option will appear under Administrator > Referrals > Review, allowing you to manage this directly.
We've been working behind the scenes to modernize and optimize the lists in the Preferences section. These updates aim to improve load times and enhance usability. Ultimately, our goal is to apply these improvements across as many APLUS lists as possible, such as the student list on the homepage, to ensure faster and more efficient performance.
APLUS Question of the Month - Search & Filter Contacts
How can I quickly find information in a student’s Contacts/Notes?
You can use the Search contacts... field or Filters feature to quickly locate past contacts. For example, you could search all emails that have “study abroad” in them. You can also select from the Display drop-down to see only contacts recorded by you or your unit(s), or use the Contact types checkboxes in the Filters section to show only Appointments, drop-ins, etc.
Updates and new features in APLUS
Introduced rich formatting options in APLUS contacts/notes with features like bulleted lists, bold text, links, and more.
Kiosks now ensure that student check-in is based on kiosk type (online or physical) and aligns with the designated appointment modality. For instance, if a student checks in for an online appointment at a physical kiosk, they will be directed to see the front desk.
APLUS Question of the Month - Contact Totals Report
How many students did I meet with in the last academic year, in appointments and drop-ins? How many were online vs. in-person?
Go to the Reports page (bar chart icon in APLUS menu). From the reports section - View Report - Select “ Contact Totals from the Drop-down list and click “ change report”.
Add Filters:
Contact Date
After date - Sept 3, 2024
Never or before date - May 15, 2025
Contact Type
Contains: Appointment, Drop-in
Successful
Is equal to: True
Display Options:
Vertical Axis
Unit
Horizontal Axes
Contact Type and Modality
Data Axis
Total Contacts
Updates and new features in APLUS
We’ve begun tracking mass emails and the associated contacts, so you'll now see a "Mass Email" label on the Contacts tab for email contacts. Hovering over the label will show when the email was sent and when it was saved. This feature helps you verify if a mass email reached the student and whether it was saved or sent.
APLUS Question of the Month - Intended Majors
How should I use the Intended Majors feature in APLUS?
The Intended Major functionality allows APLUS users to capture a student's academic plans prior to making a formal decision. You can enter up to two intended programs for each student to capture their intentions to declare, add, or change programs. The information will be entered and viewed on the Overview tab of a student’s APLUS profile. See step by step instructions in this help guide.
This is important to use when you work with a student that is seriously considering a major, but is not ready to declare yet. The intended major section is front and center on a student profile, which makes it easy for you and other staff to keep track of a student’s intended plans. In addition, departmental advisors and admin staff can use this information to communicate and get connected with students that are interested in their academic programs.
Please help us increase usage of this important feature to make the data more reliable, accurate, and effective!
Incomplete Appointment Notifications Update
The system has been updated to verify the appointment event's end time before sending reminders to users about incomplete appointments. Previously, there was a possibility of the system sending an email even while the appointment was still ongoing. This adjustment ensures that reminders are only triggered for truly incomplete appointments.
Mass Email Update
We’ve resolved an issue where the system would show an error message when attempting to send a mass email to a large number of students/recipients while simultaneously loading a template. This fix ensures smoother operation when handling bulk email tasks.
Unit Setting Update
Previously, the parent unit's settings would always override those in the child unit, even if the child unit's coordinator had configured them. Now, child unit coordinators can override the parent settings for their specific sub-unit. In cases where multiple coordinators exist within the child unit, the most recently updated settings take precedence. This change provides greater flexibility and control for child unit coordinators.
GPA Calculator
The GPA calculator is now deployed in APLUS (the previous GPA calculator in ASR has been decommissioned). Find the new tool in APLUS in the Academics tab, subpage “GPA Calculators”.
Incomplete Appointment Notifications
The APLUS Daily Digest email now includes a list of incomplete appointments for each staff member. This serves to remind staff that every contact in APLUS (appointment, drop-in, phone call, etc), must be accompanied by a note detailing the relevant pieces of the interaction. Doing so in a timely manner ensures that the notes are correct and available in a timely manner for student services staff across campus.
Home Page Export Options
We added multiple new fields to the home page export options, including Preferred First and Last Name, along with Future Credit Registration.
Updates and new features in APLUS
Slight speed improvement to the main page list.
Course drop deadlines are now shown when you click on a course in the Courses tab.
Retention Priority is now shown in the Characteristics tab.
APLUS now requires completion of the new FERPA training released this past Fall.
NEW APLUS functionality
We’ve added a new option to adjust the number of appointments students can schedule. Previously, the limit was set on a weekly basis, but now you can set a limit on a monthly basis. This option can be accessed under Preferences > Web Scheduling > Settings > Student Appointments.
We’ve also introduced two new filters for contact reports: "Student Tag" and "Student Tag (w/contact)." The "Student Tag" filter allows you to filter by tags applied to students, while the "Student Tag (w/contact)" filter applies to tags associated with contacts linked to students.
You can now filter Hold/Service Indicators historically, rather than just for current services or holds in the student’s profile. This option is available under the Hold/Service Indicator > Active on the home page.
You can now find the course drop deadline in the student's profile under the Academics tab. Simply click on the course ID, and a small popup will appear with additional course details, including the drop deadline. The drop deadline also includes summer terms.
NEW compose mass email functionality
The Student Home page now offers the functionality to “Compose Mass Email” to easily contact your population of students, leveraging the APLUS filters. Apply any relevant filters on the Student Home page and click the blue “Compose Mass Email” button. From here, you can select the lists of students to include in the email (A/W/E, Active, All Students, etc). This will create a pop-up window with the APLUS email functionality, and be sure to check the “Save email to APLUS” box to easily record the contact in APLUS and utilize the template/purpose/tag features.