Universal e-mail switch begins

Beginning Monday, all UCF students will be expected to use a Knights e-mail account in order to receive school-related notifications and information.     

Knights e-mail is a version of Microsoft Windows Live customized for UCF students and faculty members, which includes e-mail, shared calendars, instant messaging, mobile functionality and online file storage, among other features.       

"It's probably better for teachers this way because they will know the e-mails they send are going to students in that class," said Kelly Heiligenthal, a freshman biotechnology major.

UCF adopted this policy to better ensure the privacy and identity of the recipients of e-mails and to overcome problems with browsers such as Yahoo. These browsers were rejecting domain addresses, preventing students from receiving important information.

One of the features is a calendar that allows professors to share information such as projects and test dates. Those dates can then be sent to students' phones via text message as a reminder.    

It will also facilitate compliance with a Florida law that requires an archive backup of all campus e-mails, according to Robert Chandler, director for the Nicholson School of Communication.      

"I think it's OK for freshman, but for students who have been around for a while, it is just a hassle not being able to use the same e-mail they have been using all this time," said Jennifer Vest, an assistant professor in the philosophy department.

"Also, there is no privacy with Microsoft, so I am suspicious of that," Vest said. "I don't think students should have their e-mail monitored,"    

While some students find it easy to use and worth pursuing, others have run into technical difficulties and would prefer to use other e-mails for contact.       

"I think it's convenient because it gives a separate e-mail for teachers to contact students," said Jessica Castaneda, a sophomore education major.

"I am in education, so I can use that e-mail to get information from the school board about volunteer opportunities and forms," Castaneda said. "I haven't had any problems with it."     

Others have had a less satisfying experience with the new setup. One of those students is freshman molecular biology and microbiology major Brittany Ford.     

"I couldn't figure it out for a month," Ford said.  "It is way too complicated. I had to go to Windows Live and try to figure out my password. When I asked for my password to be sent to me, it didn't connect to my original e-mail so I had to play guessing games to get the information."

"I don't see anything good about it," Ford said.    

Lucas Sreter, a junior mechanical engineering major, said the new uniform system is unnecessary.

"I don't see the difference between Knights mail and regular Hotmail," Sreter said. "None of my teachers are even using it, and if it takes you right back to a Hotmail account, then it should just stay the same."   

Despite the switch, faculty will still be able to continue using Facebook, Twitter and other networking sites to get in contact with students in their classes.      

Joan McCain, the advertising and public relations program coordinator for the Nicholson School of Communication, set up a Facebook group as a means to talk to students in her classes.     

"I believe students don't check e-mail, their inbox gets clogged and they just mass delete everything," McCain said. "But they will always read Facebook."     

Although Knights e-mail is required for students, it is not mandatory for teachers. The current system, GroupWise, will still be available.     

"I have personally experienced functionality issues with GroupWise, so I am optimistic that Knights e-mail will be an improvement," Chandler said. "I do look forward to migrating to Knights e-mail in the future."