Editorial: Gmail’s features necessary for students’ needs
A new system would have to start by bringing back students who have abandoned their KU e-mail addresses.
By Alex Doherty
Thursday, March 13th, 2008
Between what KU e-mail provides and what students need lies a lack of space, features and innovation, creating a stagnant system with apathetic student use at best. ConnectKU has set its focus on invigorating the University’s e-mail presence with a free alternative from Google.
If the University wants to demonstrate a commitment to technological innovation that students expect, it has an opportunity to do so by adopting the modern e-mail and application system that Google offers.
This comprehensive package, called Google Apps for Education, would provide free e-mail, calendar and other services to anyone with a University e-mail address. E-mail would no longer be stored directly on campus, and students would access e-mail using the popular Gmail interface. Applications such as Microsoft Outlook, 'Mail' (for Mac OS X) or Mozilla Thunderbird would also work with the new Google system.
Connect spokesman Jarrod Morgenstern called the current system “e-mail from five years ago.” Morgenstern says that Connect is passionate about bringing about change, but meeting with University administration had not yielded results so far. He characterized IT at the University as “a department that is not providing for student needs.”
Bill Myers, director of assessment and outreach for the University IT department, confirmed that all changes are ultimately up to the Associate Vice Provost Donna Liss but that “we’re always interested in hearing from students.”
As for why the proposal was not taken forward initially, Myers said that Google Apps would not be a comprehensive replacement for the existing system, but he could not offer a specific function that Gmail would not replace.
The bottom line is one place the University can look to when considering Connect’s proposal. Gmail and Google Apps are offered for free to universities across the country. Myers indicated the University currently spends about $171,000 to $181,000 a year on support, software, hardware and storage for the current e-mail system.
COSTS
While there is no direct monetary charge, Myers was quick to point out that “There's nothing that's free.” While Google is not charging directly for the service, it is potentially gaining future customers and users after students leave the University.
STORAGE
Space for e-mails has been a constant concern for students. At one point the University offered 50 MBs of storage, now up to 100 MB, and soon to transition to 500 MB during spring break, according to Myers. 500 MB is likely sufficient for most students, but still will likely need to be upgraded sooner rather than later. Gmail, with its 6.5 GB current limit, will end space concerns for a long time and allow students to exchange and store increasingly large documents, videos and photos.
FEATURES
Innovation is perhaps where the current system lacks the most. With Gmail, Google introduced tagging, allowing users to mark messages with multiple keywords and then sort and search around these tags. Google Calendars could allow students to combine calendars from all their classes, University deadlines and personal events into a unified schedule.
STUDENT INVOLVEMENT
A new system would have to start by bringing students who have abandoned their KU e-mail address back into the fold. With students re-engaged, associated programs from Google Apps, like the calendar system, could gain increased use. Instructors could offer innovative ways to communicate with their students and provide schedules, such as the Google Calendar. The current system has no innovation because people are disengaged from it. The University could bring students back in with an e-mail platform they can relate to and then create more uses than anyone can fully envision today.
Now is the time to take action and update the KU e-mail, calendar and Web presence for students. Gmail and Google Apps provide power and flexibility that is currently missing.
—Alex Doherty for the editorial board
Discussion
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What a good idea. I use a gmail account and it is very useful and a much better system to check emails with than the KU email program.
avimorg, most students who have GMail agree with you (myself included).
The Student Senate passed a resolution tonight in favor of asking IT to look at Google Apps for Education. I think there's a chance this can happen considering how many students are for it.
The only benefit of gmail is the increased space. If students want to use gmail, go sign up and have your KU e-mail transferred there using POP. Or use outlook to store all your KU e-mail and you will never have space issues.
Gmail is great for the individual user, but it is not an effective system for an entire entity such as KU which is why tech services (or whatever they are called) will never let it happen. Good luck though!
I think there's some confusion going on with some people.... like, they think that going with Gmail is going to blow up the University's ability to control their own items. However, instead Google has a fine history of working WITH schools as to their needs. I'm sure integration with the Univesity's crazy "unique" needs (what ARE these needs?!?) is possible. I mean, a billion dollar corporation uses it; you gonna tell me they don't have specific needs?
Another great thing? Grads and retiring professors getting to keep their e-mail, hopefully. I'm sure KU would hate for there to be an easy way for them to drum up funds and stay in touch with all alumni.
Thanks for looking into this student needs issue, Kansan editorial board. This is the second of two endorsements that this initiative has recently received -- Student Senate overwhelming voted to endorse an investigation by IT to look into adopting Google Academic for KU. You can read a copy of the resolution here:
http://connectku.com/wiki/index.php/Resolution_for_Gmail
If anyone has any more questions, please feel free to message me or check out our web site.
http://www.connectku.com
I would vote for ConnectKU based upon the utility and feasibility of implementing Google Campus here at KU. Not so big on their other issues, but in the cost/benefit calculus it sure beats a new pool. But maybe I'm thinking too hard. Afterall, if I can't see how a new pool has greater utility than a more robust communications system between students, teachers and administrators I must be monstrously stupid.
The pool, why I agree with you on it, isn't really the issue here, leehuaitu. The ed. board has just endorsed a fantastic initiative, and I think that needs to be the focus.
I agree.
For grad school, I'm attending Saint Louis Univeristy where they use Google for their email service--it's so nice. KU should def. look into it. It's just an easier way to communicate.
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