Change Freeze for Non-Essential Banner Updates
Effective December 15, 2025 through March 1, 2028, Metropolitan State University of Denver will implement a change freeze on non-essential updates to Banner, our current student information system. During this period, changes involving new functionality, business process configurations, or data structure adjustments will be paused unless they are required for system stability, security, or compliance.
Why This Matters
The change freeze is an important step in the transition from Banner to Workday Student. By focusing resources on implementation, we reduce complexity in a system that is being retired and ensure a smooth migration to the new environment.
Impacts of the Freeze
Below are examples of changes that will now be restricted.
- New Data Fields or Codes
- Adding a new student attribute or cohort (e.g., a new type of residency status or scholarship flag).
- Creating new fields for reporting or compliance tracking.
- Business Process Changes
- Modifying existing Banner workflows (e.g., Change of Grades or how approvals route).
- Adding new steps to existing processes for departmental needs.
- Modifying academic or other policies that require a customization in Banner.
- New Software Integrations
- Connecting Banner to a new third-party tool (e.g., advising software, scheduling platform).
- Automating data feeds between Banner and departmental systems.
- Custom Reports or Extracts
- Building new Banner reports for analytics or other needs.
- Adding new data points to existing extracts for external vendors.
- Configuration Updates
- Changing security roles or permissions.
- Updating validation tables or dropdown options.
What’s Still Allowed
- Mandated changes (e.g., state or federal compliance updates)
- Critical fixes (e.g., resolving errors that impact operations)
- Security patches
