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SSN changeover introduces new PSU ID functions for staff

In fewer than 30 days, Penn State will convert University systems and processes to use the new PSU ID number in place of the Social Security number (SSN) as the primary identifier of students, faculty and staff. Beginning Jan. 1, the PSU ID will be used in all internal processes that do not require SSNs for reporting and taxation purposes. Nevertheless, this changeover is not as simple as the flip of a switch to a new identification number. Come Jan. 1, there will be new processes associated with use of the new PSU ID.

Various steps are being added to business processes across the University for the assignment of a PSU ID. Staff in every organization will have to assign PSU IDs when hiring new employees and providing services to visiting scholars, prospective students and program participants. Also, various tools will be available for staff to lookup a PSU ID when a person requiring service does not have it available on an id+ card.

Kathy Plavko, SSN Project team manager, advises staff to review the information on these new processes available at http://ais.its.psu.edu/ssn/staff_spec.html within the next few weeks. "It's important for staff to learn these new processes prior to the winter break so that business processes flow smoothly at the start of spring semester," she said.

To facilitate the SSN-to-PSU ID changeover, all University Administrative Information Systems, including IBIS, ISIS, the Data Warehouse and eLion, will be taken off-line for conversion at 12:01 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 19. Students, faculty and staff can check the SSN Project Web site at http://ais.its.psu.edu/ssn/index.html to see when systems come back online on or after Dec. 26.

Last Updated March 19, 2009

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