Michigan Student Assembly Vice President Jim Secreto said the University's e-mail system has been identified for several years as an area that needs improvement. The program will join a handful of others on college campuses nationwide. That site has expanded and now features such perks as online textbook orders and weather and traffic updates. Emory University made the change to a software-based system called LearnLink in 1998, Emory junior Jeff VanDam said. The system includes e-mail, campus announcements, calendars and classified ads as well as conferences, chats and a program that resembles America Online's Instant Messenger.
Professors have the option of posting class notes and assignments on the system.
VanDam, who arrived at Emory the first year LearnLink was used, said students did not initially like LearnLink because it was different, but the program has since become an indispensable part of Emory life. Although my.umich.edu is set to be released to the general University population in January, there are some issues regarding the program that need to be addressed. It's a great page to have as the homepage on your computer and will be a convenient way for everyone at the 'U' to stay connected. Place said although bugs will be present at first she expects the program will grow into a great tool for students. It is only a start.