Campus cruiser to provide student e-mail

    For the first time at TCC, students have access to a web-based e-mail program, now available for use by students and faculty.

    Campus Cruiser, the e-mail account and customizable home page, is free to currently enrolled TCC students. Also included are student activities announcements and club information.

    Since the program is web based, it can be accessed from any computer with an Internet connection. In the My Cruiser section, users can customize a calendar, make a to-do list and search for information.

    Students can communicate with instructors, monitor club activities and join student organizations on Campus Cruiser. Instructors can list office hours, telephone numbers and course syllabus information.

    Another benefit for students and instructors is the ability to communicate with each other in chat rooms, on message boards and via e-mail.

    In the next year or two, TCC will use the complete Datatel system, according to Dr. Jerry Mullen, TCC director of academic computing. That system will enable students to expand on the features already offered.

    In the future, TCC students also will be able to register for classes, look at grades, make on-line payments to the business office and communicate further in their courses with the system. It will replace the EASI terminals TCC currently uses.

    To set up an account free of charge, students can go to http://prod.campuscruiser.com/tccd. A link on the first page, You Can Log-In to Campus Cruiser, takes students through the sign-in process. From there, users can begin sending e-mail, setting up calendars, communicating with instructors and clubs, making lists and receiving news from all TCC campuses.