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UCSC SlugMail Powered by Google

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Project Update - September 2009

The purpose of partnering with Google, is to offer an optional email service for UCSC students that provides more features and larger storage space, as well as access to popular communication tools. This email service is provided free of cost to both the university and the students through the Google Applications for Education service. Gmail for UCSC students has been named "SlugMail."

On September 23, 2009 ITS invited UCSC students to sign up for a new campus email service SlugMail, powered by Google.

About SlugMail for Students

The electronic messaging landscape is changing as many students come to universities with their own email accounts through providers such as Microsoft, Google or Yahoo. An increasing percentage of students forward their university email to these accounts. Simultaneously, universities are challenged to provide email features students want and need, and are struggling with the increased costs associated with higher storage volumes, virus protection, and spam filtering. Outsourcing student email provides a more economical method of addressing these challenges.

Two years ago, the campus began exploring alternatives to the current Webmail email program with the goal of finding an email option for students that would provide a richer set of features. After reviewing a number of possible email alternatives, the decision was made to take a closer look at Google's Gmail. In May 2009, campus IT leadership approved Gmail for students with a roll out during the fall 2009 quarter. In June 2009, the project steering committee named this new email service SlugMail.

Phase I of this project was implemented September 23, 2009 as an "opt-in" option for students only. Phase II will be to migrate all student UCSC email accounts to Google in spring 2010. UCSC faculty and staff email accounts will not be moved to Google at this time.

Benefits

  • Increase to 7 gigabytes of storage
  • Continue to use the same UCSC email address
  • Search capacities
  • Spam protection
  • Access email from cell phone or other mobile device
  • Email forwarding
  • Customize to add fun and useful content
  • Google Calendar
  • Create different calendars and share with friends, family, and student groups
  • Google Talk
  • Switch easily between instant messaging and email
  • Google Docs
  • Create, share, store, and publish online documents, spreadsheets, and presentations on a Web-based application Google Sites

Questions?

If you have a question about SlugMail, please submit an IT Request ticket or contact the ITS Support Center by email help@ucsc.edu, telephone 459-HELP(4357), or in-person Kerr Hall Room 54.