Google is offering Gmail as an alternative email system for universities that do not have the time/money/etc to internally host student email accounts. The new service will allow students to have their .edu emails with all of the added features of the Gmail service. It’s all beta, so who knows how long this will last…the first victim client is going to be San Jose City College. Good luck SJCC!

Update: I wonder if Google will serve up advertisements on .edu Gmail accounts? How would this be in line with a universities policy on third party vendors and advertising?