UNCP considering new e-mail policy

By Ariel Houchens
Senior Staff Writer

The university is considering a new policy, which will allow official university correspondence to be sent via e-mail to students' university supplied accounts.

Dr. Maurice Mitchell, associate vice chancellor for information resources, said the policy is only in draft form right now.

“I don't see implementing this before fall,” Dr. Mitchell said.

The policy could save money for the university because it would greatly diminish paper and postage expenses; however, conserving money is not all the university has in mind, according to Dr. Mitchell.

“The main purpose,” Dr. Mitchell said, “is to improve communication.”

According to the draft policy, students will be held responsible for checking their university accounts to stay current with university communications.

“The consequences of not checking e-mail are the same as those of not checking your U.S. Postal mailbox,” states the draft policy.

Students will receive payment information, registration deadlines and other important university communication that is currently sent through postal mail, the draft policy said.

Student Government Association President Venessa Jones said students have expressed their concerns about the idea. The concerns are mostly centered on the lack of features currently available in the university e-mail accounts.