What It Is Used For
The Roles Database maintains information on users' roles or authorizations for some of MIT's computer applications (SAP, Data Warehouse financial reporting, Roles Database "meta" authorizations, NIMBUS, EHS, HR contacts, Graduate Admissions System, MIT ID Database, and LDS). The Roles Database is the authorizations system of record for applications using Roles; the number of applications using Roles is expected to increase over time.

Some users of the Roles Database, usually Administrative Officers or their designees, have been trained and authorized as Primary Authorizers.* They have the authority to create and modify authorizations for their area's resources directly in the Roles Database. Other users who only need to view authorizations can use the web interface.

All MIT Departments, Labs, and Centers (DLCs) are encouraged to obtain the Roles Database application to maintain their own authorizations. For those DLCs unable to, the Business Liaison Team (BLT) will enter the requested updates. The BLT will provide training for a unit's Primary Authorizers* in a one-hour site visit. For more information, contact business-help@mit.edu.

Authorizations & Access
An MIT web certificate is required for some links. See the IS web page for web certificates.

In order to create authorizations with the Roles application, you must:

1. Be a Primary or Secondary Authorizer* for your DLC, or be authorized to use the Roles Database by their Primary Authorizer.* (See the list of Primary Authorizers.*)
2. Have a username and password for the Roles Database. Send email to business-help@mit.edu.
3. Install the Roles application on your computer. See the installation instructions on the Roles web site.

An MIT web certificate is required for some links. See the IS web page for web certificates.

Training and Documentation
Documentation for the web interface to Roles can be found on the IS Roles Database documentation web pages.

Documentation for the Roles application is available on the Roles Database Help and Documentation web pages.

User Group
None.

Email List
None.

Help
Contact your the Business Liaison Team at:
business-help@mit.edu
(617) 252-1177

Additional Information
Authorization changes for SAP functions are fed overnight and are effective the next business day. Authorizations for travel or invoice approval or for the "Meta--View Authorizations by Category" are effective immediately.

* Primary Authorizers in DLCs are responsible for maintaining authorizations over the resources of the DLC. For further information, see Primary Authorizers' Responsibilities.