Release 6.5.0 Summary Notes
Release Schedule
Description | Date & Time | Status |
---|---|---|
Release No. | 6.5.0 | |
Pilot Release | 05.31.19 - 9:00AM PST | DONE |
Pilot Update | 06.21.19 - 9:00AM PST | DONE |
Production Release | 06.28.19 - 6:00PM PST | DONE |
Release Type | Maintenance Window | Major Release |
Application Types
Description | Scope |
---|---|
Applications | CCCApply Standard Application (Apply) |
Changes to Residency Logic | Yes |
Changes to Download Client | Yes - (Download Client Jar 6.5.0) |
Contents
- 1 Release Scope
- 2 Release Summary
- 3 CCCApply Noncredit Application
- 4 Noncredit Application: Key Features
- 5 Changes to the CCCApply Standard Application
- 6 Maintenance & Support Updates
- 7 Updates to the Spam Filter Web Service
- 8 Changes to the CCCApply Download Client
- 9 New & Changed Data Fields
- 10 Changes to the User Interface
- 11 Changes to "Glue for Apply" and the SuperGlue College Adapter
- 12 Data Dictionaries & Release Documentation
Release Scope
Change Requirement | Application | Notes & Change Request Docs | |
---|---|---|---|
1 | CCCApply Noncredit Application (Production Release) | CCCApply Standard & Noncredit | |
2 | CCCApply Redesign Project: Optional Needs & Interests Page | CCCApply Standard & Noncredit | See "Changes to the CCCApply Standard Application" section |
3 | Approved Change Requests & Legal Updates | CCCApply Standard & Noncredit | See "Changes to the CCCApply Standard Application" section |
4 | UPDATES: Spam Filter Web Service | CCCApply Standard & Noncredit | Model and User Interface Changes |
5 | SuperGlue for International Application (Staging Table) | CCCApply International |
|
6 | Maintenance & Support: Java Upgrade | CCCApply Download Client | See "Maintenance & Support" section |
7 | Bug Fixes | CCCApply Standard & Noncredit | See Bug Fixes in the "Maintenance & Support" section below |
Release Summary
The CCCApply v.6.5.0 Production release is scheduled for Friday, June 28 at 6:00 PM. The Production environment will be offline during the release. College staff can stay informed on the progress of release activities by following the CCCTC System Alerts page on CCCTechnology.info.
Schedule & Timeline
Pilot Release (30-Day Preview): May 31 - 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Pilot Release Update: Friday, June 21 - 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Production Release: Friday, June 28 - 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm PST
Stay Informed during the release! Follow the "CCCApply System Alerts" page - and any other category, page or individual post, on CCCTechnology.info.
CCCApply Noncredit Application
Development is complete on the production version of the CCCApply Noncredit Application. Get started on implementation today: Noncredit Application Implementation Home.
Key messages:
Noncredit App pilot phase is complete! The college pilot project is complete for the year. Meeting minutes and zoom recordings can be found here: Noncredit Pilot Dashboard!
Production version is now available: The CCCApply Noncredit Application workflow is now available to all colleges.
Implementation & Support Services: Colleges ready to implement the Noncredit Application should reach out to the CCCTC Enabling Services team for support To get started, see the Noncredit Application Implementation Checklist and contact Enabling Services to schedule an implementation kick-off call.
Noncredit Apps in the Spam Filter
6.28.19 - During post production release testing, we noticed a number of Noncredit applications were getting suspended in the CCCApply spam filter. The reason for this is that they were submitted in under 90 seconds during testing. This is a confirmed trait associated with human spammers attempting to fraud our system through CCCApply. Please watch for this if you implement the Noncredit application at your college. If applications do get suspended please manage them in the Administrator spam filter.
About the Noncredit Application
The CCCApply Noncredit Application is a workflow path within the CCCApply Standard Application which only asks the questions required for students enrolling exclusively in noncredit courses at a California Community College. Developed to comply with the objectives outlined in Assembly Bill 3101, the new application path was designed to simplify the admission application process for the growing number of noncredit students across the system.
Development objectives for the new Noncredit Application include:
For students: Provide a simplified process for students enrolling exclusively in noncredit courses that does not require a residency determination status;
For colleges: Design a new workflow path specifically for noncredit students in a way that leverages existing technical and support services already in place for the Standard Application, and minimize the impact of implementation and support resources on both the college and the CCC Tech Center.
Colleges can also benefit from the shared backend tools and resources
Get Started on the Noncredit Application: Colleges that are interested in adopting the Noncredit Application should review the Noncredit Application Implementation Checklist and contact the CCCTC Enabling Services division to schedule an implementation kick-off meeting.
New Noncredit Application Features Added in the 6.5.0 Release
Feature Description | Release Notes |
---|---|
New Application Type Display Setting Added to the Majors Table in the Administrator Implement an "Application Type" menu in the Majors module of the CCCApply Administrator to set the conditions of display for each individual "Intended Majors/Programs of Study" item in the CCCApply Standard & Noncredit Applications. | Need: Colleges need the ability to display different "Intended Majors/Programs of Study" in the Noncredit Application. Benefit: Colleges control if and when an individual major, course, or program of study displays in each application, even if the offering should appear in both applications. What: "Application Type" menu added to the Majors configuration module, which must be set for each individual major or program of study with one of the following settings:
Where is the feature configured? Majors/Programs are set up and maintained by an authorized college user in the Majors module in the CCCApply Administrator. Authorized users must complete setup tasks for both applications, even if you plan to display the same list of "Intended Majors/Programs of Study" for noncredit and standard end-users. Implementation support is available to colleges who plan to adopt the Noncredit Application. For setup steps, see the CCCApply Noncredit Implementation Guide or contact the CCCTC Enabling Services division to setup a "kick-off" meeting today. |
New Application Type Display Setting Added to the Supplemental Questions Module in the Administrator Implement an "Application Type" setting in the Supplemental Questions module of the CCCApply Administrator to set the conditions of display for each page of Supplemental Questions that should be active/display in the CCCApply Standard & Noncredit Applications. | Need: Colleges using the Noncredit Application need the ability to display different/unique "Supplemental Questions" to noncredit applicants. Benefit: Colleges control whether or not supplement questions should display in their Noncredit Application, and their Standard Application. With this new feature, colleges determine which questions appear in which application(s), as well as the timing and duration. What: Once configured and uploaded, the new "Application Type" setting - added as a line of code to the Supplemental Questions XML file, indicates to the system whether the page of questions should display in the Noncredit Application or not. Without the "Application Type" setting indicated, the page will default to only displaying in the Standard Application. Application Type setting/value:
Where is the feature configured? Authorized college users have the ability to configure pages of Supplemental Questions using XML file code and upload the file(s) in the Administrator. Unlike the Majors table, supplemental questions cannot be added or edited individually via the Administrator user interface; instead an XML template is used to define the questions and formats, as well as other database information. For more information about setting up Supplemental Questions, see the Working with Supplemental Questions User Guide. |
New Title Page for the "Noncredit Application to College" Students will see the new "Noncredit Application to College" title page when they click on your college-branded, noncredit application URL - that guides them to the Noncredit App workflow.
Noncredit Application URL Just like your college-branded Standard Application URL, a unique, MisCode-based URL has been created for your college, which can be distributed and/or posted anywhere you choose, including on your Admissions (Apply to College) page on your college website or via recruitment campaigns, etc Find your Noncredit Application URLs (Pilot & Production) | A different title page was implemented for the Noncredit Application so that there is no confusion on the part of the applicant as to what application they are about to submit. (See screen shot of the new title page, below.) |
Noncredit Application: Key Features
Description | Notes & Links | |
---|---|---|
CCCApply Noncredit Application - Overview Information | Read the overview here: CCCApply Noncredit Application and here: Noncredit Application Path Requirements | |
| Noncredit Application - No Residency Status Determination | The Noncredit Application does not include any residency questions (see Hidden Pages & Questions below) and does not generate a residency status (the Submission Calculation Service (algorithm) is not run at time of submission); therefore this application should only be used by students enrolling exclusively in noncredit courses. See "Transitioning from Noncredit to Credit for the Purposes of Establishing Residency Status" below. |
| Noncredit Application URL (Customized for each college) | The Noncredit Application "path" has a different URL than the Standard Application. Each college has a unique URL, based on their MIS code, just like the Standard Application. Find your college's application URLs: CCCApply Noncredit Application URLs |
| Noncredit Confirmation Numbers | To distinguish between Noncredit and Standard applications submitted to your college, we've added a prefix to the Confirmation number to help you easily identify which is which. This applies to all in-progress and submitted Noncredit Applications. |
| Hidden Pages | The following pages are hidden - not displayed to end users - in the Noncredit Application:
|
| New Data Fields | Two new data fields were added to the CCCApply Standard Application data set for the Noncredit Application. Reminder: The Noncredit Application is based on the Standard Application data dictionary and uses the same Download Client and download files for data delivery. This includes the data delivery through Glue for Apply to the staging table.
See more about the new data fields in the sections below. See New & Changed Data Fields section For complete data element specifications, see the CCCApply Standard & Noncredit Application Data Dictionary (v.2019.2). |
New Data Field VALUES | The Noncredit Application is a modified version of the CCCApply Standard Application - with a number of pages and questions hidden from display to the end user. This means that...
Therefore, a breakdown of all new or revised data fields is shown below to ensure college A&R and IT staff are aware of changes that may impact processes setup for your ERP or Student Information System. See New & Changed Data Fields below | |
New Logic Allows a Student to Submit a Noncredit Application, then Submit a Standard Application for the Same Term, Same College (if the student ends up enrolling in a standard credit course) | A Standard Application can now be submitted to the same term at the same college that a Noncredit application was submitted, in order to allow a student - who is no longer enrolling exclusively in noncredit courses - to provide the necessary information in order to be classified for residency (residency status determination) for admission. | |
Auto-population Expanded for Noncredit Application | Auto-population in the Standard Application has been expanded to include all questions/fields that are hidden in the Noncredit Application. If a noncredit student ends up enrolling in credit courses they will need to complete the Standard Application for the same term at the same college; thus providing the necessary information for residency determination. With auto-population enabled, the student will only have to complete the questions that were hidden in the Noncredit Application, which greatly streamlines the application process. | |
New Residency Status Value to Identify Noncredit Applicant | A new value was added to the CCCApply residency status field and "residency area" calculated fields to identify "noncredit / exempt" status. See the New & Changed Data Fields below table below for details. | |
The Self-Reported Multiple Measure Questions are NOT Included in the Noncredit Application | The Chancellor's Office and the AB705 Advisory Committee has determined that the self-reported, multiple measures questions should not appear in the Noncredit Application. |
Changes to the CCCApply Standard Application
The following changes and enhancements were approved and deployed in the 6.5.0 release code.
# | Change Specification | Additional Info | |
---|---|---|---|
CCCApply Redesign Project Changes (Release #4) - User Interface Enhancements | Approved changes intended to shorten & streamline the Standard App | ||
Make the Needs & Interests Page (and Sections) Optional Individual section on the Needs & Interests page CAN be hidden on the application by college request:
| A configuration change was made to the Standard & Noncredit Application code that will allow the entire Needs & Interests page to be removed from the application workflow. Alternately colleges can also request that one or more Sections be removed from the page instead- by request from the college or district. IMPORTANT NOTE: If your college chooses to remove/hide the Needs & Interests page or sections from the Standard Application, they will also be removed/hidden in the Noncredit Application. To learn more about this configuration change, please see Colleges Can Opt-In/Out to Display the Needs & Interests Page in CCCApply. | ||
Streamline the Account Information/Mailing page for first time applicants | This change is only for first time applicants to the OpenCCCApply system. The first time a student applies to a college through CCCApply, they must first create an OpenCCC account. After completing the account creation process, two auto-forwarding functions take place:
No changes are required by the colleges for this implementation. | ||
New "Non-binary" Value Added to the Gender Field in the Standard & Noncredit Applications | A new value has been added to the Gender field question <gender> on the "Demographic Information" page in the CCCApply Standard & Noncredit Applications.
See change specification: 2019-11: Add Value to Gender Field for Non-Binary Genders The following data values should appear in the Gender Field dropdown for the Apply application for both credit and non-credit paths in this order: Male = M | ||
Updates Foster Youth Status Question Language & Values Per SB 906 New Foster Youth Status Response Options per SB 906 | Priority registration eligibility for foster youth is now 16 years of age, rather than 18 years of age. Therefore, a change was made to two of the response options in the Foster Youth Status question based on legislation update (SB 906) extending the age of eligibility for existing foster care from 18 years of age to 16 years of age. The changes were made to response options (2) and (5). They now read as follows: 2 = I exited the foster care system on or after my 16th birthday. 5 = I exited the foster care system before my 16th birthday. See change specification: 2019-04: Update Foster Youth Question Per Legislation SB906 | ||
Add Clarifying Language to the Parent/Guardian Information Section to Support Foster Youth Minors | To support foster youth minors who are unsure of which option to select in the Parent/Guardian Information section, a new option was added to the section which asks, "One of the statements below is true about me" to minimize the risk of incorrectly determining their residency status. The Parent/Guardian Information section now reads as follows: At least one of the following statements is true about me
None of the statements above is true about me
| ||
Add Visa Types to Standard Application That Are Eligible for Residency Determination | Three new visa types have been added to Table F: Visa Types Eligible to Establish Residency in CCCApply. These will also trigger Integrity Flag 51 as well.
(Per Area A residency logic and Table F: Visa Types step ): | ||
Change Spam Filter User Interface Table Column from Confidence % Column Header to "Fraud Score" | Change Confidence % Column in Spam Filter Table UI for Better User Efficiency
| ||
Enable Spam Filter Search feature to find multiple Applications | Enable the search field feature in the Spam Filter module to find and reset multiple App IDs in order to expedite processing of large numbers of fraudulent applications.
|
Maintenance & Support Updates
Below are non-user facing changes and updates made to the CCCApply applications and web services.
Bug Fixes
Bug or Issue | Application | Solution or Fix |
---|---|---|
Several Visa types were not displaying the Residency page as required in the Standard Application | Standard Application Only | Area A of the CCCApply residency algorithm outlines citizenship and immigration criteria - including visa types - that the CCC considers eligible for residency determination. Visa types that are eligible to determine residency trigger the display of the Residency page ti the user; otherwise the visa type(s) do not display the Residency page. This logic has been fixed and all eligible visa types now trigger the display of the Residency page. |
CCCApply Administrator is not processing dates and times correctly in the Rules module. | CCCApply Administrator | A problem with the way dates and times are being Problems preventing the processing of dates and times within the Rules functionality in the Administrator have been corrected. |
A bug allowed applicants to submit multiple applications to the same term at the same college* | Standard Application | This has been fixed. |
Resuming an in-progress application was landing the user on the Demographic Information page instead of the user's "last page" | Standard Application | This has been fixed. Now when an in-progress application is resumed it will open to the last incomplete page that was not complete and validated. |
A bug in the SSN Lookup function in the OpenCCC Helpdesk application was not finding accounts | OpenCCC HelpDesk Application | This has been fixed. The OpenCCC Helpdesk Application can now locate and recover OpenCCC accounts, including duplicate accounts, and will |
When applicant(s) enters a family size in the supplemental questions section the value entered is not populating on the application | Standard & International Applications | This has been fixed. A problem with the XML code |
The Spam Filter User Interface was not allowing the user to mark bulk applications in the table for processing | Standard Application | This has been fixed. The Spam Filter interface can now bulk select up to 100 applications per page in the table and all marked application are being processed correctly (either as confirmed spam or confirmed valid). |
Special characters entered into supplemental question types were throwing errors. | Standard & International Applications | This has been fixed. Special characters are now throwing the proper error message when they are entered into various supplemental question type formats. |
Updates to the Spam Filter Web Service
Over the past several weeks the CCC Tech Center has been monitoring of a number of issues related to the CCCApply spam filter system, which was implemented in September 2018 to help combat fraudulent applications across the system.
A major update to the machine-learning model was deployed on May 10. In the weeks after this deployment we noticed that the system was generating a high volume of mistakes. After daily analysis and multiple attempts at deploying other solutions, on June 7 we rolled the new model back to the static model used before May 10. We have been observing the results of this model continually since the rollback and have seen the patterns normalize.
At this time, we consider the spam filter system to be stable to the same standards that it displayed in the previous deployment between September 29, 2018, and May 10, 2019.
Meanwhile, we have made a number of improvements to the retraining model, including the integration of personal identifiable information (PII) data and enhanced our testing environment with daily analysis of the issues seen between May 10th and June 7.
Spam Filter Enhancements
We have also made several enhancements to the spam filter user interface - some of which are being deployed in this release. We continue to work on improvements to the web service for future deployments.
Changes & enhancements include:
New Application Data Pop-Up Report in the spam filter interface
Bulk spam application search & retrieve input field
Revise the spam filter table column header: Fraud Score %
Enhancements to the Spam Filter Retraining Model (P2)
Temporary Spam Block for Multiple Email Addresses
Temporary Spam Block for Multiple Submitted Apps from same CCCID
Temporary Spam Block for Apps Submitted Under 2 minutes
App-export Service Updates
We regret any negative impact related to the recent model update and roll back, and we appreciate all feedback from the colleges that have informed us of the issues they encountered.
Questions and concerns related to the Spam Filter Web Service may be directed to Support Services at staffsupportccctc@openccc.zendesk.com.
Changes to the CCCApply Download Client
The following data fields have been added or changed in the CCCApply applications. The section below pertains specifically to the CCCApply Download Client; see below for information related to data fields being added to SuperGlue. For updated data specification documents, please see the CCCApply Data Dictionaries and User Guides space.
Java Version Update for the CCCApply Download Client
Beginning with Release 6.5.0 (06.28.19), the CCCApply Download Client Jar will no longer support Java 8 or OpenJDK 8. CCCApply recommends that colleges running the Download Client v.6.4.0 or earlier version upgrade to Corretto Java 8 or OpenJDK Java 11 in order to stay in compliance and continue to be supported by CCCApply technical support.
New & Changed Data Fields
The tables below provide an overview of the new or changed data fields in the CCCApply Applications, including the new Noncredit Application path within the Standard Application, in the v.6.5.0 release. Any changes to the "Glue for Apply" data sets are also noted.
NOTE: To download the new Noncredit data fields, you must add them to your CCCApply Standard Application Format Definition XML file and update your Download Client Jar file. See complete data specification changes in the CCCApply Standard & International Application Data Dictionary V.2019.2 in the Data Dictionaries space.
Description | Data Element | Type | Value / Response Options | Format / Length | Allows Null | Required | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Visa Type | <visa_type> | New Values | E2C = E-2C | 20 | Yes | No | These new values are now added to the CCCApply Visa Table F "Visa Types Eligible to Establish Residency" |
Non-binary Value Added to Gender Field | <gender> | New Value | Non-binary = B | bpchar, 1 | Yes | Yes | "Non-binary" has been added as a response option in the Gender field dropdown in the CCCApply Standard application for both credit and non-credit paths in this order:Male = M |
NOTE: The data field changes below pertain to the implementation of the CCCApply Noncredit Application, as well as the reconfiguration of the Needs & Interests Page sections that are now optional and can be hidden, or no longer displayed, upon request by your college to the CCCApply College Support Services or by posting a request on the CCCApply category page on CCCTechnology.info site). Contact College Support Services to "turn off" or "opt-out" of one or more section on the CCCApply Needs & Interests page.
Description | Data Element | Type | Value / Response Options | Format / Length | Allows Null | Required | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Noncredit Status | <non_credit> | New Field | 1 = True0 = False | Boolean, 1 | Yes | No | Optional; Value set to "True" if applicant applies using the new Noncredit Application URL; otherwise it is "False" |
Integrity Flag 81 | <integrity_fg_81> | New Field | 1 = TrueNull | Boolean, 1 | Yes | No | Flag triggered if applicant applies with the new Noncredit Application URL; otherwise it is blank.NOTE - this is consistent with how we have all the other integrity flags structured. |
Confirmation Number | <confirmation> | Revised Value | IF non_credit=True then | String | No | System | NOTE: This change pertains to the Noncredit Application only. IF an application is submitted using the Noncredit URL then the value for <confirmation> = "NC-" |
Residency Status | <res_status> | New Value Added specifically for the Noncredit Application | New NC default value = N1 = resident | bpchar, 1 | No | Residency status is calculated at time of submission for the Standard Application only. | |
Residency Area A | <res_area_a> | New Value | New NC default value = 9 | Boolean, 1 | No | Residency area status defaults to "9" when (non_credit =True) | |
Residency Area B | <res_area_b> | New Value | New NC default value = 9 | Boolean, 1 | No | Residency area status defaults to "9" when (non_credit =True) | |
Residency Area C | <res_area_c> | New Value | New NC default value = 9 | Boolean, 1 | No | Residency area status defaults to "9" when (non_credit =True) | |
Residency Area D | <res_area_d> | New Value | New NC default value = 9 | Boolean, 1 | No | Residency area status defaults to "9" when (non_credit =True) | |
Declared Residency Outside California for Taxes | <ca_outside_tax> | Default values = False / Null | Values = True / False / Null1 = True0 = FalseNull | Boolean, 1 | Yes | No | IF the question is displayed:
IF question is hidden:
NOTE: IF hidden, such as in the Noncredit application, then default to NULL For a standard application, it will default to False, unless the user checks the checkbox. |
Declared Residency at a College Outside California | <ca_outside_college> | Default values = False / Null | Values = True / False / Null1 = True0 = FalseNull | Boolean, 1 | Yes | No | Same as Above. |
Registered to Vote Outside California | <ca_outside_voted> | Default values = False / Null | Values = True / False / Null1 = True0 = FalseNull | Boolean, 1 | Yes | No | Same as Above. |
Lawsuit Filed Outside California | <ca_outside_lawsuit> | Default values = False / Null | Values = True / False / Null1 = True0 = FalseNull | Boolean, 1 | Yes | No | Same as Above. |
Public School Employee | <ca_school_employee> | Default value = Null | Values = True / False / Null1 = True0 = FalseNull | Boolean, 1 | Yes | Required response If appears onscreen | |
State College Employee | <ca_college_employee> | Default value = Null | Values = True / False / Null1 = True0 = FalseNull | Boolean, 1 | Yes | Required response If appears onscreen | |
Seasonal Agricultural Worker | <ca_seasonal_ag> | Default value = Null | Values = True / False / Null1 = True0 = FalseNull | Boolean, 1 | Yes | Required response If appears onscreen | |
Citizenship Status | <citizenship> | New Value | Default to value = X when (non_credit = True) | character(1) | No | Required to have non-null value in DB. | In the new Noncredit Application workflow, the Citizenship status question is hidden; value stored = "X" |
Military Status | <military_status> | New Value | New NC default value = XDefault to value = X when (non_credit = True) | character(1) | No | Required to have non-null value in DB. | In the new Noncredit Application workflow, the Military status question is hidden; value stored = "X" |
Comfortable with English | comfortable_english | Allow Null | NC default value = null | Boolean, 1 | Yes | No | In the new Noncredit Application workflow this question is hidden; value stored = Null |
Financial Assistance | financial_assistance | Allow Null | NC default value = null | Boolean, 1 | Yes | No | In the new Noncredit Application workflow this question is hidden; value stored = Null |
TANF-SSI-GA | tanf_ssi_ga | Allow Null | NC default value = null | Boolean, 1 | Yes | No | In the new Noncredit Application workflow this question is hidden; value stored = Null |
Athletic Interest: Intramural | athletic_intramural | Allow Null | NC default value = null | Boolean, 1 | Yes | Required response If appears onscreen | In the new Noncredit Application workflow this question is hidden; value stored = Null |
Athletic Interest: Intercollegiate | athletic_intercollegiate | Allow Null | NC default value = null | Boolean, 1 | Yes | Required response If appears onscreen | In the new Noncredit Application workflow this question is hidden; value stored = Null |
Athletic Interest: No | athletic_not_interested | Allow Null | NC default value = null | Boolean, 1 | Yes | Required response If appears onscreen | In the new Noncredit Application workflow this question is hidden; value stored = Null |