Student E-Mail Service at TAMIU Expanded for Fall

This Fall at Texas A&M International University, students will find an expanded e-mail service and password access to computer labs, wireless networks and printing services.

Interim vice president for information technology Leebrian Gaskins said the changes are in response to student input.

"Over the last several months, the TAMIU Office of Information Technology (OIT) has been talking with our student users and getting feedback on ways to improve our Student E-mail System and related services. Based on those suggestions, we're set to launch a new Student E-mail System on July 16 in advance of the start of the Fall Semester," Gaskins explained.

The new Student E-mail Service will include 50 megabytes of storage space, up from the previous 10mb; faster and more intuitive Web interface, better spam protections and e-mail filtering rules and integrated help functions. Students can go to the e-mail website to create an account if they do not have one or reset a password for an existing account.

"It's a very nimble system that will provide our students and alumni with a rich resource for communication and help to strengthen connection with the University community," Gaskins noted.

In order to begin using the new Student E-mail System, students should go to https://students.tamiu.edu for instructions. Students will need to update their password in order to use the new System.

Gaskins noted that after July 23, the old Dusty Student E-mail System will be available in read-only mode and will not send or receive e-mail. On Sept. 1, 2005, the former e-mail system will be deactivated.

"This should give our students and alumni a good deal of time to easily migrate to the new System and its improved capabilities," he said.

The next major change in on-campus computing will occur on Aug. 15 when the University's computer labs, printing and wireless system will be available only by password access. Only registered students with an active account and password will be able to access services.

"This helps us to insure that our labs and services are first and foremost available to our students for study and research initiatives. Non-student computer access will still be available in designated areas of the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library on a first-come, first-served basis," Gaskins explained.

Registration for Fall is underway online at lasso.tamiu.edu. Classes begin Aug. 24. Late registration will continue through Aug. 30.

For additional information on the University's information technology initiatives for students, please call OIT at 326.2100, visit offices on the second floor of Killam Library 257 or click on oit.tamiu.edu.

Students can also visit OIT offices to set up an account or resolve any problems.

Office hours are from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday. Computer labs are open Monday - Thursday from 8 a.m. - midnight; Friday from 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.; Saturday from 9 a.m. - 10 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. - 10 p.m

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu