University-sponsored blogging

Wayne State, are you listening? You desperately need to copy this idea:

A team at the Digital Library Development Lab [at the University of Minnesota] has developed UThink, a free blogging tool for University students, faculty and staff.

A blog, short for “web log,” is a personal Web site — or online journal — that can include stories, political opinions, pictures or anything else an author decides to post.

...

“The libraries recognized the potential for this as a medium for scholarly communication,” Eric Celeste, an associate University librarian said. “Your friend might say, ‘God, that’s a rotten idea.’ Or your professor might say, ‘Hmm, that’s an interesting idea. Here are some more resources.’ ”

The development team, which also includes Bill Tantzen and John Butler at the development lab, integrated the blogging tool with the University’s current X.500 username and password system.

Popular blogging tools such as LiveJournal and Blogger require multiple-step processes to create a blog. UThink, which is based on the Movable Type blogging system, requires one step to create a blog, after the user logs in to the system.

“It’s just convenient,” Froehle said of the login system.

Celeste said UThink could be used in classrooms to enhance discussion and debate, but it will not replace WebCT, the University’s course management program.

“WebCT will still serve its purpose for classes that want to be private,” he said...

I have heard rumblings about Wayne State desiring to offer personal web space to all students. I think this is a better idea: it's easier to start and maintain, there's less chance for abuse (you could likely prevent students from hosting illegal music and movies on their blog), and it's trendy.