EMAIL SYSTEM UPDATE

In the coming weeks, ACC will be moving from the current e-mail system to Google Apps for Education.

The Information Technology (IT) Department began a beta test two weeks with more than 30 faculty and staff from around the college.  Feedback from this test will be used to improve the documentation and conversion process when employees start moving to Google Apps.

In November, the college will begin a limited rollout of the new system to select departments, beginning with the IT and IRT departments, since staff in those departments will be supporting the rest of the college.  Once the IT department has refined its process for migrating users, it will begin selecting other departments for transition.  While the IT department anticipates that some departments and staff will begin to move in December, the full transition will take place in January.  Moving staff with a substantial accumulation of e-mail will take time, and it often will require one-on-one assistance from IT, IRT, and/or departmental computer technicians to prepare fully each employee for the move.

It is important to remember that faculty and staff will retain their current e-mail addresses after the transition.  For example, if your current e-mail address is [email protected], it will remain the same after the transition to Google Apps.

In conjunction with other efforts, the IT department is developing online documentation to help staff understand the new system; preparing a series of “town hall” meetings on each campus to communicate with employees about the change and how it will affect them; and preparing classroom training for staff on how to use the features in Google Apps.  Also, professional development workshops will be provided on Spring Development Day in January.

For more information, please contact Stan Gunn, Associate Vice President, Information Technology Department, [email protected], 512-223-1200.

FY 12 AND FY 13 ACADEMIC CALENDARS FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL

On November 19, 2010, the Academic and Campus Affairs Council will review and approve the FY12 ACC Academic Calendar, as well as a working draft of the FY13 ACC Academic Calendar.  The calendars may be viewed at:    http://www.austincc.edu/pres/announcements/FY12-13AcademicCalendars.pdf.  For questions or comments regarding the calendars, please contact Dr. Mary Hensley, Executive Vice President, College Operations, at [email protected] or 223-7618.