05/24/12 jgm
HAYS,
Kan. -- Student email at Fort Hays State University will move beginning to
Google June 1.
The
move from the Scatcat system in use for more than 12 years was announced by the
university's Computing and Telecommunications Center.
"Several possibilities
were considered, but the choice basically came down to either Microsoft’s
Live@edu product, or Google Mail," said Mark Griffin, assistant director
for infrastructure and support services. "Both products offered advantages
over the current Scatcat webmail, but ultimately it was decided that Gmail
provided the best option for FHSU. We found that Gmail had a slightly quicker
response time than Live@Edu, and it seemed to us that the interface was a bit
simpler to use."
Griffin
also explained that other advantages of outsourcing the email system are an
increase in data space for students and savings in hardware resources and
technical support that are needed for other ongoing projects.
In
addition to Gmail, students will also have Google calendar, Google Docs and
other Google apps.
"The
new Gmail system will be available through TigerTracks, much like the current Scatcat
email is," said Griffin. "Additionally, students will be able to
access their new FHSU Gmail account with their mobile devices, like Android
phones, iPhones and iPads."
Scatcat
users should receive an email with information and instructions on how to move
old email to Gmail and how to set up their mobile devices. They will still have
access to Scatcat email until the end of the year.
Faculty
will still use Lotus Notes as their primary email for the foreseeable future,
but, Griffin said, the possibility is there to move all FHSU email to Google.
"I
believe this is a very positive enhancement to the FHSU student email
system," he said. "Most of the comments I have received from
students, so far, have been very positive."