Added Value: Students at TAMIU Get Free Email for Life

Students considering enrolling at Texas A&M International University this Fall can travel around the world for nothing but a series of free clicks.

That's because TAMIU's "E-mail for Life" program, launched this Spring, provides students with a free web-based e-mail service, which provides life-long access, customizable addresses, 10 megabytes of storage space, and a calendaring service.

"TAMIU E-mail for Life," is the end result of a long-cherished dream by University president Dr. Ray Keck to improve current student electronic access while providing a bridge for graduates to continue to remain linked to their alma mater through cyberspace.

"So much of our students' educational progress and personal lives is mediated by the Web and e-mail, with classwork and research often prepared or conducted through the Internet. We wanted to make sure that we had a first-rate system that was responsive to their needs now and for the rest of their lives. We especially wanted to provide a mechanism for graduates to continue to be a part of the University's life and future and this program will make this possible," Dr. Keck explained.

The University's Computer and Telecommunications Department developed the new system.

Leebrian Gaskins, associate CTS director, said using technology to build and maintain relationships is forward-thinking at its best.

"It's a wonderful idea for TAMIU to develop a lifelong relationship with its alumni and students by utilizing our technology. This new e-mail service will run on the existing e-mail server which has more than enough processing power and storage to handle the new load and will enable us to encourage greater participation," Gaskins said.

The new service is provided at no cost to students and is accessible from any computer with Web access. Students will be responsible for the cost of their home Internet Service Provider, but can access their e-mail from any TAMIU computer lab.

To use the University's new "E-mail for Life," students converted their existing TAMIU-email through a convenient sign up on the TAMIU Web page, at www.tamiu.edu.

Other features of the new service include spam or trash e-mail blocking, virus filtering, encryption protection and a customizable interface.

For more information, contact the CTS hotline at 326.2310 or e-mail hotline@tamiu.edu.

Early registration for Fall 2003 at TAMIU continues through Thursday, July 31.

General Registration will take place Friday, August 22, and classes begin Monday, August 25. Late registration, with late fees applied, begins Aug. 25 and continues to Aug. 29.

For more information on classes or registration, please contact the Office of the University Registrar at 326.2250, visit offices in Killam Library, room 168 or go on line to http://lasso.tamiu.edu or http://www.tamiu.edu/affairs/registrar/.

With State budget cuts, the University is observing a four-day, 10-hour a day schedule this summer with office hours from 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday. Offices are closed Fridays.