UGS Flag Feed

Owned by
Michael Lee
Last updated: Nov 02, 2020
4 min read

Adding Flags: Adding Flags

11/2/2020 Update: Flags are applied to the student record at enrollment. 

JOBS:
1.  NRJGFLP (NRNWFLP3) Flag Feed: Picks up UGS data and updates our flag DB/inventory and nr-courses (F60).  It autosubmits every night after midnight. It takes no inputs.  It checks the BEGIN-DATE-3 date on *TXTBLS, NRSCHED table, for the SCHED-level entry.  If we're before or equal to that date, it processes the record. If we're after that date, it doesn't process the record.
2.  NRJGFLG (NRNWFLG2) Flag Ripple: Ripples attribute flags to same-as classes based upon (F60) course relations.  It autosubmits every night after midnight.  It takes no inputs.  If the date the job is running on is equal to or after BEGIN-DATE-3 for any semester on the NRSCHED table, for the SCHED-level entry, it processes the CCYYS values in the AVAILABLE-CCYYS field on the NRSCHED table. If it is prior to that date, it doesn't process the record.
3. Which job runs at 12am on BEGIN-DATE-3 for a semester? (Noted above, but always a question, so documenting) The only date BOTH jobs run for a CCYYS is BEGIN-DATE-3. However, they are not networked and could execute at overlapping times, so the ripple is not reliable, as the flag feed could still be in progress when the ripple runs. Because of this, the Flag Ripple needs a special, one-time am run the morning of BEGIN-DATE-3 by 8am in order for UGS to begin ID'ing manual flag exceptions.
NOTE – if there is an issue with the flag feed discovered AFTER cutoff but before finalizing uniques, flag feed must be turned on for same date that corrected UGS flag feed is loaded to ftp server. Example, UGS sends corrected feed to ftp server on Friday, Sept 15, flag feed BEGIN-DATE-3 should be Sept 15 so the file will load overnight.
TIMING:
NRJGFLP and NRJGFLG run according to the dates indicated in *TXTBLS, E2, NRSCHED, Class-Manager CCYYSSCHED (screenshot below). This table is updated with the new flag dates at the time we rollover a new semester.

This screenshot shows that for 20149 the flag feed's last run (NRJGFLP) and the flag ripple's first run (NRJGFLG) is after 12am on 03/18/2014 to pick-up the last batch of flag data from UGS for 20149. The same day, we ask IT to run NRJGFLG by 8am so UGS can begin work on ID'ing manual flag exceptions to be made. Since NRJGFLG also runs after midnight, this special morning job ensures that the last batch of flag data we received ripples to cross-listings before UGS begins work on their spreadsheets.
The flag feed cut-off date coincides with the week we begin checking Advance Copy, about two weeks prior to live publication.

  • Spring Semesters – Wed 3rd week of/mid- September. UGS should enter all updates by Tuesday 3rd week of Sept.
  • Summer Semesters – Friday last week of February. UGS should enter all updates by Thursday last week of Feb.
  • Fall Semesters – 3rd Wednesday in March. UG should enter all updates by 2nd Saturday in March.

REPORTS:
UGS will send our office multiple exceptions spreadsheets one week prior to publication for Summer/Fall. These spreadsheets provide us a list of flags to add or remove due to late instructor requests/changes, late approvals, incorrect topics, and proposal errors. These flag corrections can be made via Class Manager. No changes can be made by UGS after the online course schedule has published without a cancel/re-add process. Sometimes we are able to grant a grace period for cancel/re-add requirements when CSU opens, but before publishing to students, when resources and time allow.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Flags are administered through the School of Undergraduate Studies, Core Curriculum: https://www.utexas.edu/ugs/core/flags
Our current contacts are:

  • Dr. Jeanette Herman
  • Melissa Dalton Tressa Olsen Britta Jensen  

Hi, Tressa,
 Hope you had a fantastic holiday, as well, and thanks for reaching out.  Below are upcoming dates in regard to Summer and Fall 2016 UGS flags and Course Scheduling. Please let me know if you have any questions.
 Summer 2016

  • Last Flag Feed Run:                                         February 25, 2016 after 11:59 p.m. <Note: TXTBLS,NRSCHED, SCHED date-3=Feb 26>
  • First Flag Ripple Run:                                     February 26, 2016 by 8:00 a.m. <Note: Special run we request by 7am on this date>
  • Unique numbers finalized & CSU open:           March 14, 2016
  • Manual Flag Exception Spreadsheets accepted: 8:00 am February 26 - 12:00 pm March 28

 
Fall 2016

  • Last Flag Feed Run:                                         March 15, 2016 after 11:59 p.m. <Note: TXTBLS,NRSCHED, SCHED date-3=Mar 16>
  • First Flag Ripple Run:                                     March 16, 2016 by 8:00 a.m. <Note: Special run we request by 7am on this date>
  • Unique numbers finalized & CSU open:           March 21, 2016
  • Manual Flag Exception Spreadsheets accepted: 8:00 am March 16 - 12:00 pm April 4

 
UGS Manual Flag exception spreadsheets should be received at course.schedule@austin.utexas.edu. The bulk of spreadsheet exceptions should be processed early on, with only a handful of exceptions remaining (if any) by 12:00 pm the day prior to online publication of the Course Schedule.
We will send all CSU requests for flag changes to you as we receive them for written approval. Prior to online publication, we will process CSU flag requests as we receive them, making adjustments per your email responses, if needed. Once the course schedule is published online, flags cannot be changed for an existing section, and schedulers must delete the incorrect section(s) and re-add with corrected flag information via CSU.
Please let me know if you have any questions.

Confluence Documentation | Web Privacy Policy | Web Accessibility