Change, like many things, is unavoidable. It may be welcoming or unwelcoming, but either way, it is bound to happen. Still, there are right ways and wrong ways to approach change.
Some students’ Degree Audit accounts were switched to Stellic over spring break and in the middle of fall 2025 advising. This was not the right approach.
Our staff recognizes that the decision to switch to Stellic would not have been made unless it was beneficial and better in the long term. In an email from the Office of the University Registrar, students were promised that Stellic would better help them track their progress and plan their classes around their other commitments and preferences.
The transition to Stellic caught some of us off guard. Receiving notice that the switch was official for some of us during spring break is an unread email waiting to happen. A lot of students are unplugged from their email during this time, whether it be due to trips or simply allowing themselves a break.
Some students also never check their email. Our email boxes get flooded as it is, so it can be easy to miss a message if the subject line doesn’t scream “Look at me.” More messaging with stronger action language would have helped us feel more educated on using Stellic and prepared for the change.
What is even more problematic, though, is that some students were switched to the new platform in the middle of advising season. Amidst the stress of planning the next semester, students who were familiar with one platform had it pulled from right under their feet.
Many of our staff members were left confused when they opened up their computers to plan their classes.
The email notice included a link to UNK’s website outlining how to navigate Stellic. It is helpful to have visual examples for using the program, but the list of several links to more information is overwhelming during an already stressful time.
For those of us who have used Degree Audit for two to three years, the adjustment to the new program will come more slowly. Those who have it the worst, though, are sophomores. Just as they were getting familiar with Degree Audit, they had to switch to a new program.
In the future, we ask University officials to be more aware of the academic calendar when making these switches. We trust that the switch to Stellic was made with good intentions and will be positive in the end. That said, there could have been a better time to make the switch.
Lopers, take advantage of the resources that are available. Many department advisers have more experience using Stellic and can be helpful in navigating the new program.
