Over the past decade, Google has slowly worked its way further and further into the everyday lives of anyone who frequents the Internet.
Starting next semester, the
The company has recently redesigned Google Apps for use by educational institutions, and it has already been embraced by schools like
‘[The University] decided upon Gmail and Google Apps after a study of options for an e-mail system to help us meet our rapidly growing needs and students’ expectations,’ John Dubach, chief information officer at the UMass Office of Information Technology (OIT), said in a statement. ‘Google Apps stood out because it offers cutting-edge technology and a high level of service. Because Google offers this service for free, we’ll be able to refocus our IT resources on other projects.’
Gone will be the days of ‘mailbox over quota,’ which plagues many UMail users: Currently, many students are unable to receive e-mails without deleting messages periodically from their account once they exceed the 30 MB limit now in place. Google will offer students over seven GB of e-mail storage, a massive increase in mailbox capacity that will allow students to save and archive mail over time, and send large attachments with ease.
UMass students will also be able to collaborate on work in new ways. By next semester, they can begin working together online, using software like Google Docs for documents and spreadsheets, Google Sites to create websites and Google Calendar to schedule events. The Google system will allow for increased student cooperation on projects, and further integration of university services into student life.
The transition to Gmail will take place over the next semester, with undergraduate students receiving the option to switch to Google. Starting in the spring 2010 semester, it will become the standard email for all undergraduates.
Nick Bush can be reached at [email protected].
