FlashMail Will Be Replaced With Google E-mailReturn to Issue of Nov. 3, 2008 This fall, Kent State will replace the FlashMail e-mail system with Google E-mail. The change will result in several benefits for current FlashMail users, namely, all Kent State students, part-time and emeriti faculty and alumni.
Kent State’s full-time faculty and staff members, who utilize Microsoft Exchange for their e-mail, are not affected by this transition. Most noteworthy among the new features in Google E-mail is the increased storage space for each individual. “Demands on the current FlashMail system require us to limit mailbox sizes,” Ed Mahon, vice president for information services and chief information officer, says. “With the substantial resources that Google provides, mailbox storage will be significantly increased. Students have been asking us for this service, and we’re glad to be able to fulfill their request.” According to Mahon, in addition to increased mailbox size, other benefits include:
“We’re now able to provide students and other FlashMail users with access to applications that would be too costly for Kent State to build internally,” Mahon says. “As a result, the switch to Google offers a cost savings not only to the university, but also to students, who may no longer need to purchase simple word processing or spreadsheet software. “Google E-mail is attractive to schools because the service itself does not cost the university any money and will reduce internal administration of e-mail by between 80 and 90 percent,” Mahon says. “This will allow the Division of Information Services to reallocate that time for other important support services.” Everyone with a FlashMail account will be moved automatically to Google E-mail by the end of the year. However, those who’d like to get a jump on using the new features can do so by activating their account now. “Google’s interface is relatively easy to use,” Roberta Sikula-Schwalm, associate vice president for information services, says. “As a result, and because actual e-mail addresses will not change, most individuals should find the transition to be a simple one.” The activation process simply requires individuals to visit Kent State’s Google E-mail Web site and log in with their FlashLine user I.D. (their e-mail address without @kent.edu) and password. Incoming e-mail will start going to the new Google E-mail account immediately, which can be accessed through FlashLine at www.kent.edu. As part of the activation, FlashMail users also will be given the option to move their old mail and contacts from FlashMail to Google E-mail. For most individuals, this will take less than 48 hours, although timing depends on the volume of individuals using the activation process and the size of each individual account. During that time, older messages and contacts always will be available through FlashLine by clicking on the familiar e-mail button. Individuals who forward their messages to another e-mail account will need to change their settings in Google to continue receiving their e-mail at their preferred address. Kent State is not alone in making the decision to use Google E-mail. Other schools that have made the switch or are in the process of doing so include Indiana University, Northwestern University, Arizona State University and Oberlin College. For more information, to see a list of questions and answers or to view tutorials about Google E-mail, visit Kent State’s Google E-mail Web site at http://google.kent.edu. Questions also can be directed to the Kent State University Helpdesk at helpdesk@kent.edu or 330-672-HELP (4357). Return to Issue of Nov. 3, 2008  |
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