'TAMIU E-mail for Life' Popular,'TAMIU Unplugged' Readied

Students considering enrolling at Texas A&M International University this Spring can also travel around the world for nothing but a series of free clicks. And later this Spring, they'll be able to do so completely "unplugged" via wireless access.

TAMIU's "E-mail for Life" program, launched last Spring, has proven enormously popular by proving 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.

This Spring, that access will be completely wireless in designated areas of the campus as part of a prototype wireless campus initiative, to be known as "TAMIU Unplugged" that is being developed by the University's Computer Telecommunications Service.

CTS director Lakshmana Viswanath said that just as "E-mail for Life" was an answer to a on-campus communications need, "TAMIU Unplugged" will provide students, faculty and staff with the latest in technological advances.

"TAMIU E-mail for Life was part of our response to improve student electronic access while providing a bridge for graduates to continue to remain linked to their alma mater through cyberspace. The 'TAMIU Unplugged' project extends that service by making all internet access, e-mail retrieval and more completely wireless in specified areas of the campus for designated users," he said.

Leebrian Gaskins, associate CTS director, said wireless technology can help the University continue to build and maintain relationships.

"We've seen the positive response from students and alumni with 'E-mail for Life,' so this just seems a natural extension of our ability to continue to build and maintain relationships while providing our users with a real service and advantage," Gaskins said.

Both 'E-mail for Life' and "TAMIU Unplugged" are provided at no cost to students. "TAMIU Unplugged" will be activated this Spring.

Interested students should visit the recently redesigned CTS website located at http://cts.tamiu.edu to learn additional details as well as the latest information about technology concerns on campus including virus information, user resource manuals and how-to guides, among others.

Students can also contact the CTS hotline at 326.2310 or e-mail hotline@tamiu.edu.

University offices will reopen for Spring 2004 Registration at 8 a.m. Monday, Jan. 5. Registration may be accomplished throughout these days and prior to General Registration on Friday, Jan. 16. Classes begin Tuesday, Jan. 20. Registration information is available by calling the Office of the Registrar at 326.2250.