On Tuesday, Barnard students received an email notifying them they’ll be able to switch their Barnard to an email system designed by Google. The new system, called gBear Mail, will launch in early October along with an integrated calendar and will soon expand to include other Google apps, including Docs.

For those of you still using CubMail, Barnard is accepting transfer applications.

Dear Students:
We have exciting news to share with you: Barnard is providing you with Google Apps for Education! This means that your Barnard email will move to Google and work much like Gmail, with MUCH more storage space than the previous email system! Plus, you’ll have access to other Google Apps and features that you may know and love, such as Google Talk (Chat) and Calendar.

Barnard’s version of Google Apps is called “gBear” and will be accessible at http://gbear.barnard.edu/. Currently, the collection of Google Apps consists of gBear Mail (Gmail) and Calendar, but in the future we will offer other Google Apps, like Docs and Sites!

In early October, you can sign up to have your Barnard email switched to gBear Mail. It’s first come, first serve! However, if you haven’t signed up by December 31st, your email will be switched automatically. We will send another announcement on how you can sign up for gBear within a few weeks!

For more information on gBear, visit www.barnard.edu/google. You can also come to our “Tech Talks” (information sessions) about gBear:

Thursday, September 30, 2010, 12:15-1:15 pm: gBear Mail Migration

Thursday, October 14, 2010 12:15-1:15 pm:  gBear Mail

Thursday, October 28, 2010 12:15-1:15 pm : gBear Calendar

The location for the gBear “Tech Talks” will be announced in another email since it depends on how many people inform us that they are coming to the event.

In the meantime, we would love for you to fill out a brief survey on Google’s services:https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?hl=en&formkey=dERtOHp6TjQ0MmtYUmhQMFNmMEpmRmc6MQ#gid=0. On the survey, you can RSVP to the gBear “Tech Talks.” Also, if you provide your Barnard Username (UNI) at the bottom of the survey, you will be entered into a raffle for prizes, including an external hard drive, USB flash drive, or highly coveted gBear t-shirt!

Best,
Student Computing (Resnet)
BCIT