In an era where innovation intertwines seamlessly with tradition, the University of Notre Dame’s Office of the Registrar is setting a new benchmark. By employing the AI program Claude, this pilot program has emerged as a formidable time-saver, rejuvenating the workload dynamics for the team. According to NDWorks, this transformation allows employees to shift focus from monotonous tasks to more impactful and student-supportive opportunities.
A Strategic Initiative: The Birth of Innovation
Over a year ago, Vice President and Associate Provost Rev. Daniel G. Groody, C.S.C., envisioned a change—a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing course articulation for transfer students. This vision, as implemented under the guidance of Assistant Vice President and University Registrar Chuck Hurley, birthed an 18-month strategic project that unfolded in two meticulously planned phases.
Unveiling the Change: Automating Redundancy
Paul Ullrich, tasked with leading the technology and testing team, recognized the encumbrance of time-consuming manual processes. With collaboration from a dedicated team, an innovative pipeline was developed, channeling course syllabi from Slate.org through Claude. This AI efficiently distilled essential information, presenting early assessments of course offerings, whether in-person or online, a task previously executed with substantial administrative efforts.
Bridging Technology and Tradition
Summer brought over 2,000 courses under the registrar’s scrutiny. As AI sifted through PDFs, determining key details, it seamlessly integrated its findings into Notre Dame’s academic course management tools. Always refining, always learning, Claude’s intelligence complemented the team’s integrity, allowing for swift manual override whenever required.
Empowering Human Focus
The beauty of this initiative lies in its dual effect—streamlining tedious tasks while retaining human oversight. Deputy Registrar Amika Micou underscores the AI’s pivotal role, acknowledging the errors AI might occasionally make, which human expertise quickly rectifies, enhancing the AI’s performance in the process.
Looking Ahead: A Harmonious Blend
As the journey unfolds, Chuck Hurley reflects on the project’s success. Not only is the AI meeting its objectives, but it’s also growing, adapting with each transfer. The summer promises a greater impact, redirecting saved time from administrative to student-supportive roles—a purpose well-aligned with the University’s values.
This pilot represents a remarkable step forward, ensuring departments are promptly equipped with course information, ultimately elevating the academic journey for both students and staff at Notre Dame.