Online university replaces email system for better business

Online university replaces email system for better business

Lamar University, which is part of the Texas State University System and specializes in online education, has announced it selected a nonprofit corporation to replace its campus-wide email.

By doing so the school - which offers 63 undergraduate, 47 masters and nine doctoral degree programs - hopes to streamline its operations and avoid glitches that may occur during emergencies such as last year's Hurricane Ike.

"In September 2008, Ike caused us to shut down email for all our users," says Michael Dobe, associate vice president and chief information officer at Lamar University.

"We decided immediately thereafter to replace our in-house student Sun/iPlanet system and faculty and staff Exchange system with a new campus-wide outsourced email solution that would assure business continuance, should there be a similar incident in the future," he adds.

Online education has been touted as a cost-effective and flexible option, especially attractive to adult learners who are looking to boost their credentials and switch careers. Institutions around the country offer online degrees in fields with rapidly growing employment opportunities such as nursing and information technology.