On Jan. 16, with the launch of the online collaboration software Google Apps at USC, students will be able to say goodbye to current university e-mail quotas.

Through an agreement between USC and Google, students will enjoy Gmail (Google’s e-mail program) in an ad-free environment, while continuing to send and receive e-mail at their @usc.edu e-mail addresses.

Google Apps at USC is the name of USC’s installation of Google Apps for Education, a suite of online software applications that Google offers to educational institutions and nonprofit organizations. The package includes Gmail, Web-based word processing and spreadsheet programs, sharable calendars, chat and more.

The initiative to bring Google Apps for Education to USC was launched by Suh-Pyng Ku, chief technology officer for enhanced learning, and Ilee Rhimes, chief information officer and vice provost for information technology services, as a way to improve e-mail services and collaborative opportunities for students.

“Google Apps at USC is about more than e-mail,” Rhimes said. “The current generation of students study, network and socialize online. They want the freedom to work from multiple locations – including from different computers and mobile devices. Google Apps at USC offers them the flexibility that they want and need.

“A lot of staff, students and faculty from all over campus worked very hard to make this happen and deserve kudos for bringing Google Apps for Education to USC,” he added.

Because Google Apps at USC provides Web-based word processing, spreadsheet, calendar and chat programs, students can do their work anywhere they have Web access without worrying about downloading software or software compatibility.

“The possibilities for extending our students’ ability to communicate and collaborate outside the classroom are tremendous. We will be leveraging this innovative technology to identify ways to support technology-enhanced learning within and beyond classrooms and campus,” said Susan Metros, associate vice provost and deputy chief information officer for information technology services.

“Information Technology Services will also consult with student advisory groups about additional functionality as Google adds new features to its software package,” she said.

All active USC students are eligible for Google Apps at USC accounts. Students can sign up for an account at getgoogle.usc.edu beginning Jan. 16. Once students have activated their account, they will be able to access their accounts through the MyUSC portal at my.usc.edu.

Google Apps at USC comes with its own USC-branded Gmail account, meaning that students who already have Gmail accounts can sign up for a Google Apps at USC account without an affect on their existing Gmail accounts.

Students who prefer to keep their e-mail at USC but wish to use Google’s word processing or spreadsheet software may open Google Apps at USC accounts without moving their e-mail to Gmail.