We're looking at giving our students g-mail accounts that will replace their existing Colgate e-mail accounts. There have been some twists and turns in how this will play out, but the goal is to provide students with a much greater storage capacity than we're able to offer while reducing the server maintenance and upkeep required on our end.

One of the interesting conversations concerns how they will access the new e-mail account. A nice option is to develop a new channel on our internal portal that will allow direct access -- and most importantly -- single sign-on to their g-mail accounts.

Who has time to watch webcams? Apparently, lots and lots of people. At least lots of parents of students currently enrolled at Colgate and lots of alumni who want to stay connected to campus.

An effort to reposition our webcams resulted in a mini-flood of e-mails from cam users who were upset that they were temporarily unavailable, eager to offer suggestions for new vantage points, and then thrilled that they were restored and offering nice, new views.

It's been a great exercise in learning how this type of social media tool can really build community among constituents. I've had some great e-mail exchanges with webcam users who feel appreciated, at least I think they do, that we've taken the time to listen to their concerns, and who now feel "plugged in" to campus via our tiny Axis cameras.