Did you know that texting and driving is considered to be as dangerous as drunk driving and that many states are now legally banning it? Recently, the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute completed a comprehensive study and reported that texting while driving can increase crash risks by 23 percent. Several publications have reported on this study. Here’s what the NY Times had to say - http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/28/technology/28texting.html. 

The University of Utah also conducted a study on the effects of texting and driving. Its 18-month study concluded that texting and driving is likely to increase accidents by 8 percent.

Whether it’s 8 or 23 percent, it’s evident: texting can be deadly.  With Android devices like the G1 Droid, parents can purchase Textecution for their drivers. This app disables the SMS function (texting) if it detects that the phone is moving faster than 10 mph. 

Microsoft released six security updates for November 2009, which address 15 unique vulnerabilities across various Microsoft products. Microsoft recommends installing these updates immediately. Please comply when prompted to install updates and reboot when recommended.  For more information about Patch Tuesday, visit https://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms09-nov.mspx.

The Office of Information Technology will be releasing a new student email system starting this Winter Term.  This new email solution will look similar to the current webmail solution, but offer additional capabilities like a life-time email address, 10gigs of Email Storage, Mobile phone integration and advanced calendaring.  We are also working having an attached Sky Drive with an additional 25 gigs of external storage. 

The migration of the student email accounts will be occurring on December 19^th, and at that time, students email addresses will become @mymail.nku.edu.  Access to the student email will use the same webmail.nku.edu website.  All emails that are sent to your current email address (@nku.edu) will be automatically forwarded to the new mymail account.  If you log on to your new account anytime between December 19^th and January 18^th, you will automatically be entered into a drawing for a XBOX 360.  More information about the upgrade will be occurring over the next month, including the launch of a new webmail.nku.edu front page, this information will be emailed to all students soon.

Thank you for your patience during this upgrade.  If you would like to participate in early testing on the new student email site, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

IT has extended its hours of support for on-site smart classroom technology problems. If you experience a problem with the technology in your classroom, call x6911. If necessary, someone can be dispatched to your classroom for assistance Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., and Friday, 8a.m. – 5:30 p.m.