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from the issue of February 14, 2008
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Meetings to cover new student E-mail system
UNL students may be getting a new E-mail system, and administration is setting a series of meetings to talk about it.
Microsoft and Google are coming to campus Feb. 19 and 21 to present features of their E-mail systems, which could be offered to UNL students under agreements with either of the two companies. Student input on the idea and proposals is sought, as well as input from deans and directors, faculty and staff, those on campus with technical expertise, and alumni.
Having an "outsourced" E-mail system for students would allow the convenience of letting students take their E-mail address with them when they graduate - offering alumni a chance to be part of a UNL E-mail system for the first time, and to have "lifetime E-mail" - keeping students and alumni connected to the university and their classmates.
Other benefits to a vendor system include additional document-sharing and storage capabilities, expanded collaboration and communication tools like instant-messaging, calendaring, and syncing with personal digital assistants and other devices, and greater ability to use cutting-edge technologies when they become available through the vendors. Using Microsoft or Google E-mail systems would also be less costly than the university staff-supported student Web mail system (Big Red).
"What's really driving this is keeping students connected," said Dave Spanel, coordinator for Systems and Operations in Information Services, which is planning the presentation and input sessions. "Add the possibilities and convenience of the additional collaboration tools and the ability to store and share documents. Even after students graduate they've got them forever."
The current Big Red system doesn't offer many features that students are seeking, such as syncing to PDAs or phones, calendaring and document sharing.
"A lot of universities, such as Northwestern, Arizona State, Ball State, have moved to vendor systems " Spanel said. "More and more it's seen as the way to go."
Spanel said the presentations and listening sessions are important to hear ideas and to allow members of the university community to get their questions answered.
Information Services has set up a Web site with the schedule and links that feature Google and Microsoft features, http://is.unl.edu/connectivity/news_20080201.shtml.
E-mail presentations
All sessions will be in the Nebraska Union Auditorium unless otherwise noted:
• Feb. 19 - Google presentation for students, 12:30-2:30 p.m.
• Feb. 20 - Technical staff session, 8-10 a.m.; Deans, directors, faculty, staff and alumni session, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Feb. 21 - Technical Staff Session, 8-10 a.m.; Deans, directors, faculty, staff and alumni session, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; Microsoft presentation for students, 12:30-2:30 p.m. (Van Brunt Visitors Center)
GO TO: ISSUE OF FEBRUARY 14
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