TAMIU Expands E-mail Services for Students
In Spring 2008, Texas A&M International University's (TAMIU) exponential student growth will lead to the launch of an expanded and enriched e-mail service for the over 12,000-plus (and growing) current users.
Like many universities across the nation, TAMIU has seen growth threaten to eclipse optimal service levels for its popular student and alumni "E-mail for Life" offering. Like others, it will now move those services off-site through a Microsoft-developed e-mail service, Windows Live.
Leebrian Gaskins, TAMIU associate vice president for Information Technology and chief information officer, said the initiative brings the University into alignment with other major universities.
“As TAMIU grows, so does its level of service commitment to its students and alumni. Through this arrangement, we're able to expand on our service capabilities while optimizing our existing resources. Our students and alumni get services expected and preferred at all major universities and we are able to rededicate our resources to additional needs and future growth,” Gaskins explained.
He said the primary attraction for the new service would be a dramatic increase in storage capacity, while a range of other benefits add robust features.
“To start off, we'll see our student and alumni accounts grow from a 50-megabyte limit that auto-deleted every three months to a 5-gigabyte capacity that does not delete. This is a dramatic increase and provides students and alumni with great, reliable storage.
“Additionally, this account will function more like a Hotmail account with messaging, chat and a My Space-like component called 'Spaces,' in addition to customized web pages and a new Sky Key that functions as a virtual memory stick. The system will also join with specific University services like access to labs, UOnline, Banner and the new Angel learning management system.
“The combination of expanded memory and services makes for a very attractive package for all our users,” Gaskins said.
He noted that the University’s aggressive security measures to protect data and identity theft are also present with the Microsoft-based E-mail Service.
“This is part of the expectation of living in a digital information age. The spam and virus filtering and identity protections in place are formidable and represent some of the best the industry offers,” he said.
The service will be launching this Spring with students and alumni using a Web-based entry point to sign up and move their existing accounts over to the new System. E-mail addresses will remain the same and passwords can be retained or reset.
For additional information, contact the TAMIU Office of Information Technology at 326.2310, visit offices in Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library 255, click on oit.tamiu.edu or e-mail hotline@tamiu.edu
Information on Windows Live is available at get.live.com/edu/schools
Registration for Spring Semester 2008 is underway 24/7 at UOnline at schedule.tamiu.edu. Spring 2008 classes begin Monday, Jan. 14.
Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu