"This is not a new service," said J. James Wager, university registrar.
"We're simply trying to improve the way students receive their grades. Rather than the students having to continually look for their grades, we will provide them with the notice."
Wager said in years past students would call the office over and over looking for their grades.
The intent of the service is to provide students with timely notification regarding the availability of their grades.
Although the e-mail alert will not contain students' grades, it will notify the students that their new grade information is waiting on the Web site.
"I think it's a good idea especially because when you're home on break you don't have to keep calling," Justin Weyman (senior-broadcast journalism) said. "Sometimes when you checked the Web site, only one grade would be posted. It is nice and convenient to be able to just look once."
The service has been activated for every Penn State student.
Many students said the new service would be a relief to them, but others did not want to see their grades until after the holiday season.
"The new service is great, but couldn't we wait to get our grades until after Christmas? It would be the best gift I received," said Bridget McCrory (freshman-communications).
If students decide they don't want to receive the notification they may deactivate it by going to the Web site www.getgrades.com and selecting the e-mail notification maintenance service menu. At this same site, students may also change their personal addresses to receive the e-mail alerts at a place other than their Penn State e-mail address.
"Having the notification sent to my America Online address will be so convenient because the grades come out after we leave and I wouldn't have access to my PSU address at home," Liz Durkin (freshman-communications).
"It is going to save me a lot of hassle," Durkin added.
