However, since the 1999 Legislative Assembly failed to fund the SAGE project, the project is on hold indefinitely. HECN personnel are now in the process of determining priorities for enhancing and extending the life the existing mainframe system. Y2K compliance is no doubt the highest priority. Aside from Y2K , several web initiatives have been identified. These audits include financial audits, financial related audits, federal compliance audits, performance audits, and other special inquiries.
Auditors place high emphasis on internal controls.
One of the challenges here is that, in most cases, increasing the controls also increases bureaucracy. Increasing controls often causes a deterioration of services. Plans for the future are to maintain reasonable internal controls, while placing strong emphasis on continuing to improve services. Another challenge with the audits is that the extensive time used by NDSU personnel in responding to information requests and questions takes away from the time that could be used to make advances for the future. Opportunities The Web and other new technology - Financial services at NDSU needs to take advantage of this new technology as much as possible.