Universities may change the way they manage their e-mail systems in the near future, as companies like Google and Microsoft seek to tap the college market.
Google recently convinced Arizona State University's 65,000 students to switch to Google e-mail services. And a number of other universities, including Vanderbilt, might make the switch as well.
"Vanderbilt is considering a number of options to expand its e-mail services, said Matt Hall, assistant vice chancellor of Information Technology Services. "Vanderbilt has been researching ways to increase storage and functionality with e-mail for its undergraduates for a while."
Senior Katie Vick said the change could not come soon enough for her.
"A school like Vanderbilt should have a superior e-mail system that is more high tech and offers more options," she said.
But junior Nathaniel Lewis said he remains content with the current system.
"I have no problem with Vanderbilt e-mail," he said. "I can do everything I need, and I don't receive any spam."
ITS has looked at a couple of upgrade options, Hall said.
The first option would be to increase storage capacity on the current system and upgrade its functionality. Or the university could let Google or Microsoft run the system, allowing students to opt in to the new system.
ITS would benefit from outsourcing the e-mail system, Hall said, as it would free them up to collaborate more with academic departments
Hall said the university does not want to rush into the change, preferring to find the most cost effective choice. They should make decision sometime this summer, he said.
"One of the main reasons we have taken our time in analyzing our e-mail system is that students now are using e-mail a lot less frequently due to instant communication with things such as Facebook, instant messages and text messages," he said. "In some ways e-mail has become the new postal service."