As a former student/staff I can say anything is better than Lotus Notes. But, I am surprised Microsoft is going to pay the University to use it, especially with the Jeff Raikes support/connection.
For what it's worth, I've heard it with one or two degrees of separation that Jeff's contribution to the (now) Raikes School was completely isolated from their decision to go with Microsoft for their email a year or two ago. Besides, he'd already retired and acts most as a philanthropist.
