The Dock · Student Portal
Your Dock |
| What data | System of Record / Integration | How it's used | Who can see it | How it's protected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biographical Name, student ID, contact information, cohort membership, basic demographics Academic Program of study, advisor, course history, GPA, academic standing Engagement & Support Appointments, messages, check-ins, referrals, student support notes, and submitted forms when initiated or housed within Slate | PeopleSoft is our system of record, meaning all official biographical and academic information is reported out of there. Slate is our record of communication and engagement, providing a snapshot overview of your current academic progression. | Your information is used to support your academic journey, including:
| Access to your information is restricted to a need-to-know basis for campus professionals who directly support your success, such as Deans, coaches, and staff advisors. Faculty will have a dedicated portal tailored to their advising and instructional roles, providing access to their current course rosters and advisee lists. Each user's view is curated to show only what is necessary for their specific role, offering a centralized, secure way to access information they are already authorized to view in other campus systems. |
|
At a Glance
Role-Based Access
Only staff with a defined role in your academic journey can see your data. No open access across departments.
Single Sign-On
The Dock uses HWS SSO — your Slate login is your HWS identity, protected by SecureAuth MFA.
Regular Audits
IT Services partners with a managed security services provider to conduct periodic information security risk assessments, including GLBA compliance.
Access and permissions
Slate is a role- and permission-based platform, like PeopleSoft, Canvas, and Handshake. Access is granted based on an employee's responsibilities and the principle of least privilege, meaning users are granted only the information necessary to perform their role. Permissions are reviewed and managed by system administrators and the Slate data governance committee.
The matrix below provides a high-level overview of the types of student information available to various campus roles. Individual permissions may vary based on assigned responsibilities and approved access requests. Listed are roles currently established within Slate and are listed from most restrictive to least restrictive:
Role | Population | Access Level |
Office of Academic and Faculty Affairs | Active students | Broad access to active student information to support student success |
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | Students participating in DEI programs | Program participation, relevant academic and demographic information needed for student support |
Registrar's Office | All students | Academic records and student information necessary to fulfill registrar functions |
Campus Life Leadership | Active students | Student engagement, involvement, and support information |
Dean's Office | All students | Academic and student success information necessary to support student success |
HWS Data Governance
A Slate Data Governance Committee was convened at the start of this project's implementation. The committee comprises members from IT Services, Student Success, OAFA, Institutional Research, the Registrar's Office, the Office of the Deans, Student Accounts, Financial Aid, Faculty, Students, and Campus Life. The committee ensures student data is managed transparently, responsibly, and with community-informed oversight.
Systems purchased by HWS go through a rigorous vetting process through IT Services before any contracts are signed. That process includes:
- Reference checking with institutions that currently use the service
- Contract review with legal counsel and purchasing on all terms and conditions
- Completion of the Higher Education Vendor Acquisition Toolkit (HECVAT) for vetting technology service providers
- An independent security risk assessment by a managed security services provider to verify that the vendor meets cybersecurity, privacy, and regulatory compliance standards
- HWS Secure File Transfer
- Microsoft 365 Data Classification — managed through IT Services