Northwestern University Information Technology plans to update the university’s e-mail program Wednesday morning to integrate new user-friendly software.

WebEmail, the new program replacing the current WebEmail 2.7, will provide users with features that include spell checking, address book import capability, priority setting on outbound mail and easy entry of a sender’s name into the address book. The replacement will not affect the access of e-mail, said Tom Board, director of technology support services.

He said the new e-mail program will allow for updates in the future.

“We decided the software that we had didn’t have a future that was going to support some of the things we are going to do with e-mail,” Board said.

He added that IT is trying to make the switch as easy as possible for users.

“We’ve spent a fair amount of time trying to make sure what is being presented is easily readable and straightforward so people won’t have any problems making transitions from the old software to the new software,” Board said.

IT’s focus on making the interface user-friendly will be beneficial, according to one student. “I think it’s a good thing,” said Kevin Carski, a Weinberg sophomore. “It should make things easier for students.”

But Amy Gembacz noted that the changes won’t affect students who access their e-mail from other software.

“I don’t think I’ll use it because Eudora is on my computer and you don’t have to go through the Northwestern Web page to access it,” said Amy Gembacz, a Weinberg junior.