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91��ɫ is moving its @yorku.ca undergraduate email accounts to a 91��ɫ U service powered by Google’s web-based suite of services and collaboration tools known as Google Apps. The new Google Apps at 91��ɫ includes:

• email
• calendaring
• file storage and sharing
• Google docs and more.

All of this will be provided as a 91��ɫ U service, with students still having a 91��ɫ U email address. Starting Jan. 13, 91��ɫ U students can sign up and start their move to Google Apps at 91��ɫ.

The move to Google Apps addresses requests by 91��ɫ U students for enhancements to their existing 91��ɫ-provided email service. A 2011 student survey about information technology revealed that students wanted a more flexible, portable service, with additional options beyond what was offered by the 91��ɫ-supported MyMail email service.

“Making these Google services available to our students as 91��ɫ services we’re sure will be a very positive thing for our students,” explains Bob Gagne, chief information officer, University Information Technology. “Though it is Google technology, these will be 91��ɫ services with the 91��ɫ brand, accessed by students using their own familiar Passport 91��ɫ usernames, and covered by a contract with Google that provides additional benefits such as no advertising.”

With the change, 91��ɫ joins other Ontario universities like Ryerson, McMaster and the University of Ottawa in the move to using cloud-based email. The move involves 91��ɫ U undergraduate students only. Graduate students, faculty and staff will still be supported with the University’s internally hosted services.

“The vast majority of students are using these types of services in their personal lives and increasingly even in their K to 12 classrooms. Now they’ll be able to enjoy those same and even better features and benefits, like unlimited file storage and great mobile access, but they’ll be 91��ɫ services accessed with their 91��ɫ IDs,” says Janet Morrison, vice-provost students.

In selecting Google, a pan-University committee examined and evaluated alternative service providers and conducted several consultations with students. Google’s services emerged as the best fit to enhance the experience for 91��ɫ U students.

“It has been a lot of work by a lot of people to get us here and I’m very grateful for all of the effort to make this happen for our students,” says Gagne.  “I’m also very pleased that students have been so engaged and positive in helping to bring in Google Apps at 91��ɫ.”

Undergraduate students can start the move to their new Google Apps at 91��ɫ account any time from Jan. 13 to March 31. Students who choose not to move to Google Apps at 91��ɫ have until March 31 to . Students who have not moved or opted out by March 31 will automatically be moved on April 28 to Google Apps at 91��ɫ.

For more information about Google Apps at 91��ɫ and how to sign up, visit the website.

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