ASTRA

What is ASTRA?

ASTRA is a computerized instructional resource management tool used to record classes and tasks assigned to:

• Full-time instructors (J1)
• Part-Time (P-1) instructors
• Administrators (A-1)
• Staff (A2)

Miami Dade College uses a "point system" to regulate payment and to ensure that faculty fulfill the load requirement and/or limitations based on Contract guidelines.

A full-time faculty load is as follows:

• Fall Term - 60 points
• Spring Term – 60 points
• Session A or Session B – 24 points

An adjunct faculty assignment is as follows:

• Fall Term - no more than 48 points
• Spring Term – no more than 48 points
• Session A or Session B – 24 points

Note: Any assignment after 60 points in either Fall/Spring Term or 24 points in Sessions A/B is considered an overload for full-time faculty; adjunct faculty do not qualify for overload.

ASTRA also maintains limits set for points assigned to employees based on the contract signed between UFMDC and MDC for full-time faculty, and decisions made by the Executive Counsel for administrators and staff. The Human Resources Operations area routinely reviews ASTRA assignments and point distributions and notifies campuses of short loads, missing assignments, etc. (Refer to the Point Limitations Document). The Campus is responsible for the accuracy and completeness of information in ASTRA.

ASTRA works in conjunction with Odyssey for pay for part-time faculty and additional assignments to faculty, administrators and staff. Full-time faculty are paid their full-time salary whether the load is complete in ASTRA or not. Overloads (L-1) and part-time (P-1) payments only occur when:

• Points have been entered and designated (overload only) in ASTRA
• An RPA for the Qual has been submitted to HR
• HR has entered the assignment in Odyssey. The RPA Qual must match the Qual to which the course is attached.

Each Campus has an individual assigned the duties of ASTRA Coordinator. Ms. Carmen Liriano is the ASTRA Coordinator for the Kendall Campus. She will be able to assist you with any ASTRA questions or problems you may have. Although training for the ASTRA system is available from CT&D, we also provide training on an individual basis. Call Carmen Liriano or Peter Davila at 7-0981, to arrange for a training session.

How do I access ASTRA?

Security access to the ASTRA system requires an Access/Pin Number. To obtain a Pin number, the budget manager of an academic area needs to request access by completing the ASTRA Access Request form. Upon
completion, the form must be forwarded to the ASTRA coordinator in the Dean for Administration’s office.

ASTRA is accessed from the Production Systems Menu in the Mainframe system by selecting AO (ASTRA/Odyssey). Once in the ASTRA system, you will always need to identify the year and term you want to view. After you get to the screen you want to view, the default will appear at the bottom of the screen for the current year and term. You will need to enter the year and term if you want to view a year and term other than the default. The year and term is entered in the following format: 2XXX-1 – Fall Term; 2XXX-2 – Spring Term; 2XXX-3 for Session A and 2XXX-4 for Session 4.

Additional information about ASTRA can be found by going to the Human Resources Web page.

To obtain the access forms for ASTRA click here.