Student e-mail switches to Microsoft Outlook Live

The transition will become mandatory in the fall.

By Angela Case

Published June 2, 2009

The Division of Information Technology introduced Microsoft Outlook Live last week, a new e-mail server, giving students the opportunity to switch their accounts to the new system. DoIT Director Terry Robb said DoIT has not yet set a date for when the transition from Microsoft Outlook to Outlook Live will be mandatory, but anticipates it will be in late September or early October.

Robb said the amount of e-mail storage available to students will increase from 40 megabytes to 10 gigabytes. The new system also allows access to other Microsoft Windows services, such as SkyDrive, which allows students to store and share up to 25 gigabytes of data online.

Windows Live Messenger will also be included in the new system, allowing students to chat and share photos with one another and the system will allow for larger e-mail attachments.

The switch comes after the Missouri Students Association passed a resolution in October that requested the transition to a new e-mail system.

"Students have always been looking for a change," MSA Student Communications Director Tim Noce said. "And DoIT has been promising a change."

DoIT and MSA considered other programs, particularly Gmail, before deciding to use Outlook Live. Although both Outlook Live and Gmail can be used at no cost, Noce said they chose Outlook Live because of the university's past experience with Microsoft.

"Mizzou as a whole already has a pretty good relationship with Microsoft," Noce said. "We knew that with Microsoft, they would be able to personally help us through any problems that we have."

Robb said for various financial and legal reasons, the change applied only to students. Faculty and staff will continue to manage their e-mail through Outlook.

Noce said even though Outlook Live is a Microsoft program, students who use Apple products won't be at any disadvantage.

"Microsoft used to be an Internet Explorer exclusive, but they have really made great strides and are now almost seamless between Internet Explorer, Safari and Firefox," he said.

Noce said the biggest hurdle of the transition would probably be getting the word out and informing students about the change. MSA is forming an Electronic Communications Committee to help educate students how to use the new features and allow them to provide feedback on the new system, he said.

A variety of resources will be available for students who have questions about the transition. Students can visit DoIT's Web site or the help desk inside TigerTech with questions regarding the new e-mail system. Robb said during Summer Welcome and throughout the first few weeks of school, additional resources will be available for students making the transition.

Students can begin opting into the new system immediately by going to webmail.mizzou.edu and following the links provided.