IU partners with Google, Microsoft for e-mail services

IU announced today that it has partnered with Google and Microsoft to provide students with commercial e-mail accounts using their IU addresses, according to a press release. \nThis will enable students to continue receiving IU mail long into the future.\nStudents will be able to get these accounts this spring.\nA committee began this summer to negotiate the project.\nBoth companies have agreed to offer their services for free, so IU could save up to $500,000 a year, according to the release. Officials haven't decided where the saved money will be reallocated.\nUndergraduates, graduate students and alumni will be able to get these accounts, but faculty and staff must use the existing e-mail service, according to the release.\nIn addition, students' e-mail accounts won't feature advertising, but alumni accounts will.\nIf students already have accounts with the two providers, their existing accounts will not be affected, according to the release.\nTo set up an account, visit the IU Account Management Service Web site at http://itaccounts.iu.edu. Keep checking idsnews.com for updates throughout the day.