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Mastering the Move to Google Mail

After migrating its entire campus to Google Mail, Santa Clara University shares its experience and offers advice to schools considering a similar move.

  • By Mary Grush
  • 03/06/13

This story appeared in the February 2013 digital edition of Campus Technology.

Santa Clara University (CA) recently completed a four-month, phased migration of all student, faculty, and staff e-mail accounts to Google Apps for Education. While the main focus was obviously e-mail, electronic communications across campus received an upgrade, too. IT managers also overhauled their identity-management system, offering users the added benefit of a simpler sign-on. Here, SCU administrators share their school's migration story with CT.

How would you describe SCU's experience migrating to Google Mail?


Courtesy of Santa Clara University

"The migration tools worked very well, contrary to what we'd heard from some schools that had made the move before us. But, like any large project, we had a few learning experiences." --Ron Danielson, vice provost for information services and CIO

What were the main migration issues for your campus?


Courtesy of Santa Clara University

"The largest issue that we had was handling all the 'special case' accounts that had been created over years that are outside of policy and practice for the campus." --Todd Schmitzer, manager of networking and telecommunications

What advice do you have for other institutions planning a similar move?


Courtesy of Santa Clara University

"The phased implementation really saved most of the campus from experiencing any problems. We communicated like crazy.... Another very beneficial decision was to staff up with temporary help." --Ron Danielson

About the Author

Mary Grush is Editor and Conference Program Director, Campus Technology.

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