UA launches new myBama platform in-house

UA+launches+new+myBama+platform+in-house

Ginger Morrow, Contributing Writer

The Office of Information Technology is launching a redesigned MyBama on Nov. 15 with an updated look and new search features. 

Students and faculty will be able to choose to start using the new myBama on Nov. 15. After the Jan. 19, 2022, course add/drop date, all myBama accounts will convert to the updated platform.

“There’s just so much content on myBama, and it’s just a little clunky, so that’s the kind of feedback we heard that drove the design,” OIT Director of Customer Relations Meagan Bennett said. 

The foremost new feature is a search bar to more easily locate information. Users can also pin up to eight items to their home page. The home page has a “Popular Links” section that regularly updates with the most-clicked links of the week.

“We want to get you the content that you need so that you can go on about your day,” Bennett said.

Another update is the implementation of a mobile-first format to support smartphone use. 

The current myBama platform is being discontinued by its provider next year. OIT began searching for new providers in January 2020, but decided to employ the UA Enterprise Development Application Support Team to develop a new platform in-house. 

The EDAS team previously developed COVID-19 applications and testing and vaccination submission platforms for the University. 

They considered student opinion in the redesign through the involvement of the Student IT Forum. The forum includes students across colleges and meets once per month to provide feedback about campus technology.

The forum’s primary role during the new myBama launch was again to serve as early adopters and testers of the new service,” said third-year forum participant Preston Roten. “During our recent October meeting, we discussed the various features we enjoyed most and revealed a few bugs and slight areas for improvement before the full launch. 

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