As the Internet has evolved so have the users.  Users today now require access to social networking, blogging, and instant messenger, not just email.  Central Connecticut State University students and alumni are more connected now than ever, and they expect the university to keep up with today’s latest trends.  CCSU is evaluating technologies that would allow students and alumni access to free web 2.0 technologies for life, thereby giving new students an instant connection to the university.    

CCSU’s IT department first recognized the importance of these technologies during the early part of 2006 and has been working closely with many state agencies and outside companies to identify the best platform for our student body. The product we are currently considering would grant students access to a free 5 GB emailbox, an instant messenger collaboration account, a personalized web presence, and many other free services and tools.

The CCSU IT Department is well aware that in order for any service to successfully meet the needs of the university community it must be versatile

across all communication mediums and devices. For this reason we are concentrating on services that will allow access to all information from any internet enabled device, including cellular phones.

Currently the student body has the option to use a CCSU generated emailbox or have their messages forwarded to an outside email address.  The size limit on CCSU emailboxes is falling way behind other free email services and therefore more students are choosing not to use the CCSU email systems.  By moving to the new service CCSU would be able to provide a virtually limitless 5 GB mailbox that is backed by a major corporation utilizing best-in-class anti-spam and antivirus protection. 

CCSU would also be able to provide an emailbox to alumni and applicants, giving these important individuals a way to maintain communication with CCSU.  This new service would allow an individual to maintain the same email address from the time they apply to the university until they graduate and beyond – with life-long access.  By standardizing on a single email system the university administration would be able to notify students of important news and events easier than they have in the past.  

In addition, students and alumni would be granted access to a personal web presence, instant messenger and calendar.  The personal web presence would allow individuals to post videos, pictures, blogs, information, interests and more.  Instant messenger would leverage one of the most popular products in use on the internet today and give individuals access to all the familiar features of instant messaging with the added benefit of group chats for online study groups. Students would be able to create and share calendar appointments with friends, family and faculty throughout the world.

The CCSU IT Department is awaiting final approval to move forward with this initiative. We hope to have an official announcement by the end of this year.

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