Error 542 was added with the 2007 SDR changes.  The detailed manual changes noted that 542 would be returned as an error ONLY during the December SDR each year.  During the May and September returns 542 is set to a warning (confirmed by phone with MOE).  This means our current January SDR extract is the first instance where sites have received the 542 error message.  In short, the error message means that there is a type D enrolment being reported in the course enrolment file, but no course completion result returned to match with it.  All type D enrolments must have a corresponding course completion record.

At the moment MOE is totaling EFTS for a given student in the course enrolment file, and based on that, determining his/her enrolment type and whether a corresponding course completion record should be reported.  So if a student has two study contracts, each with two courses, with one being a type D enrolment and the other a type B, MOE will total the EFTS and determine it to be a type D.  As a result of this, they then expect all 4 of those enrolments to be reported in the course completion file.

It has been confirmed with several sites that it is a valid business process to allow a student multiple enrolment types in a single reporting period.  Currently the 542 error message and validation method being used by MOE is imposing a business process problem for sites.  Because of this impasse, we recommend that sites contact MOE directly to discuss a solution.  Artena is functioning as it should, and extracting the SDR according to correct business processes.

If you have further questions or comments please contact our support desk. 

Regards,

SMSS Helpdesk