March 8, 2007

Google will provide student e-mail

In response to student feedback, Northwestern is partnering with Google for e-mail and other services to students, beginning in spring.

The idea began when students from the Associated Student Government and the Graduate Student Association requested such a partnership during meetings with Northwestern Information Technology (IT). Google Apps for Education will soon be available through “@u.northwestern.edu.”

@u.northwestern.edu, powered by Google Apps for Education, will provide advanced and easy-to-use tools such as searchable, two gigabyte e-mail services, a large integrated address book space, robust security features, integrated calendaring, instant messaging, and online support.

“Northwestern is one of the first research universities to forge this type of innovative relationship with a premier technology partner such as Google,” says Mort Rahimi, vice president for information technology and chief technology officer.

Working closely with student groups, Student Affairs, Alumni Relations and Development, and many others, IT sought to ensure that the partnership met the needs of students and the University.

“We are giving students more services than they had before, such as mailboxes that are 50 times larger, and functionality that we don’t provide today,” says Director of Technology Support Services Wendy Woodward.

Student groups requested outsourced e-mail services because many students have an e-mail account outside of the University and a large percentage forward their Northwestern mail to an outside account. Of that group, a majority already forwards their mail to Gmail.

Students who participate will experience user-friendly functionalities and interfaces similar to those found in public Google services. Advertisements will not be displayed on the e-mail interface for students.

By the end of spring quarter, IT’s goal is to facilitate the opting-in of current students to the new @u.northwestern.edu service. Graduating students could then choose to continue to use the service as an alumnus.