A number of colleges and universities are outsourcing their once-school-run e-mail clients to large companies, specifically Google and Microsoft.
At the moment, Tufts has no plans to outsource its Webmail services. However, there are a number of advantages to such a move that the university should consider.
For one, the services offered by both Google and Microsoft are, quite simply, better than anything the university can provide. Their servers are faster, they offer more storage space and they come with a number of features not offered by university servers, such as calendars, as well as chat and document-sharing applications that allow users to collaborate in real time. The servers are also more stable and offer better protection from spam and viruses.
Furthermore, the programs offered by both Google and Microsoft allow university clients to keep the ".edu" ending in their users' e-mail addresses. The services are also, for now, offered free of charge, which could save Tufts a substantial amount of money.
Also, in response to many universities' concerns, both Google and Microsoft have removed advertisements from university clients' e-mail programs: The companies' idea is that they will earn their money when students graduate and switch to ad-based servers like Gmail.
However, there are privacy concerns that should not be overlooked as schools contemplate outsourcing.
Many administrators worry, with good cause, about handing over hosting duties and sensitive information to outside companies. It is a source of concern that research data and other potentially valuable information would be stored on Google or Microsoft servers rather than the university's own.
However, such information can be, and often is, forwarded to outside e-mail addresses anyway. And when Northwestern University switched to Google's server, one of the university's conditions was that student data not be shared under any circumstances. The company agreed.
The fact of the matter is that a majority of students already have outside e-mail accounts and prefer to have their school mail forwarded there rather than deal with the clunky and inconsistent university server. If Tufts wants to promote an inclusive and unified Web community, it should take the necessary steps to keep its e-mail services up to date.
Finally, it does not make sense to keep spending university resources on e-mail clients when there is a free alternative that also happens to be better in almost every way. As a progressive institution, Tufts should keep itself abreast of technological developments.
Given the woeful and oft-complained about condition of the Webmail service, a switch - made cautiously and with an eye towards preserving privacy - can only be a good thing.
