Google Apps for Education at Simmons

Welcome to Google Apps for Education at Simmons! Here you will find information about our migration of faculty and staff email and calendaring to Google Apps for Education.

What is Google Apps for Education?

Google Apps for Education is a set of powerful email, calendar, and collaboration tools that will improve your ability to connect with colleagues and students. Simmons migrated students to Google Apps for Education during Spring 2012 and faculty and staff are being migrated during Spring 2013.

What do I need to know about the migration?

All Faculty & Staff → Google Apps for EDU

Simmons College is moving all faculty and staff to Google Apps for Education (including Gmail, Google Calendar, and more) for many reasons: because it saves money, because it replaces aging, inefficient platforms, because it provides you with powerful new tools for communicating and collaborating, because this list could go on and on...

Your Email Address Stays the Same

Your Simmons email address will not change! In addition, we will move the email you have stored on the Simmons server or your Simmons computer to Google Apps.

Moving on YOUR Schedule

Your migration date will be coordinated with you and you’ll receive plenty of advance notice and instructions. We have a team devoted to helping you get setup and ready to go with Google Apps. Each department is scheduled on the project calendar, available here.

Global Access

Once you’ve been migrated, you can access Google Apps from any computer or mobile device by visiting gmail.simmons.edu. You can find instructions for setting up your mobile device here: iPhone/iPad, Android, Blackberry, Windows Phone.

Full-Service Training

The Technology team is providing training both online and in-person. Check out the full training schedule here.

Real-Time Collaboration

You can use Google Drive to create, edit, and discuss documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and more with students and colleagues in real time.

25 GB of storage is A LOT!

No more deleting old email! With Gmail, you can just click “archive” and your email will be out of your inbox and stored for whenever you might need it later.

Don’t file your email, search it!

Gmail’s powerful search tool can help you find emails in an instant. Unlike Outlook or Thunderbird, there aren’t traditional folders, but labels that act like folders and organize your email for you. You can apply multiple labels to a single email and automatically label new emails using filters.

Goodbye, Meeting Maker

Using Google Calendar, you can view multiple calendars, check colleagues’ availability with one click, and automatically send invitations via email. You can also respond to meeting invitations from within Gmail and without even having to open your calendar.

We’re here to help

Click the links on the left to find answers to frequently asked questions, options for training, and more.

Questions or concerns about Google Apps?

Answers to many questions about using Google Apps can be found in the guides and FAQs listed in the left menu bar. Once you've been migrated to Google Apps, you can access tutorials on almost any topic from within Google Apps. In-person training sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays are scheduled through May. See the training schedule here.

If you have specific questions or concerns about the Google Apps migration, please contact your department/college Technology Liaison or Roy Balcom: roy.balcom(at)simmons.edu. If you would like to get in touch with another member of the migration team, check the Project Team page for the best way to contact them.

General questions about using Google Apps and other technology at Simmons should be directed to the Service Desk at 617-521-2222 or http://servicedesk.simmons.edu/getsupport/general.