@ my tribe...

Educause is wondering if college email addresses are on the way out.  If they are, it will surprise me.

The “@” sign has become a sign of tribal identity.  My @universitylutheranchurch.org address tells you that I’m a part of this church, and that it’s a non profit.  My @jwinters.com address tells you that I’m foolhardy enough to consider myself a part of my own tribe.  My @csl.edu address tells you which seminary I went to.  @fsu.edu tells you that you’re talking to someone from Florida State University.

If the fundraisers and alumni relations folks at Florida State University have anything to say about “@” addresses for colleges and universities, they’ll stay.  The ability to have someone proclaim that they are a part of your tribe to everyone they email is great P.R., great networking, great branding, and great identity making.  Well worth the IT dorks’ paychecks.

That said, …why am I not handing out @universitylutheranchurch.org addresses to all of our members here?

Image: peaceweb.jpg by Debb-ca at Flickr