Deans' electronic mail project

ABSTRACT

Last fall at The Ohio State University, it was decided to train the president, provosts, deans, and directors of 26 college offices, and four remote campuses to use CMS Mail. This project was planned and designed Fall quarter, 1986, and put into operation in January, 1987. With the cooperation of several divisions of the Instruction and Research Computer Center (the academic computing center), and Telephone Services, and the deans' staff themselves, the entire process was successfully completed in just three months. This paper will discuss: Consulting with the various offices to discover what hardware was available to define what equipment and software were needed for electronic mail. Acquiring the needed hardware and software. Designing and planning the training program. Assembling and writing the training materials. Implementing the plan. Solving problems encountered along the way. Following up with all who were training. We estimate approximately 70-80% of the deans are actually using the electronic mail system regularly themselves. Most are very enthusiastic and already exploring what they can do next. Many of them had never used a personal computer. Personally, this project was one of the most challenging and satisfying programs with which I have been associated at Ohio State.

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.4 INFORMATION SYSTEMS APPLICATIONS
      H.4.3 Communications Applications
          Subjects: Electronic mail

Additional Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.6 MANAGEMENT OF COMPUTING AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS
      K.6.1 Project and People Management
          Subjects: Training
      K.6.2 Installation Management
          Subjects: Computer selection

General Terms:
Documentation, Human Factors