Fresno State is informing students that they must join the electronic age at once by using e-mail to receive crucial university communications.

The university is sending financial and academic announcements exclusively by e-mail instead of by paper mail. Students will receive e-mail notices about registration, student accounts, invoices and financial statements as well as deadlines for adding or dropping courses.

More importantly, students who are about to be dropped from enrollment for not paying what they owe the university will learn of that danger by e-mail only. The same applies to notices of academic disqualification and, on the brighter side, notices of financial aid awards.

The change to e-mail will bring California State University, Fresno, "huge savings," says Bernie Vinovrski, associate vice president for enrollment services. He estimates saving $20,000 to $30,000 at least per year in financial aid, administration and records alone.

Some people on campus may still find comfort in paper transactions, Vinovrski says, but most will find the new policy ordinary: "Our typical student is very comfortable with dealing by e-mail. It is the standard method." Some uncertainty comes with reliance on standard mail, Vinovrski says. A vital communication may be buried in a pile of junk mail. Some university departments and schools already communicate almost exclusively through computers.

The categories of e-mail communication announced this week will be followed by others as the university comes to rely less and less on paper.

Fresno State notified enrolled students by postcard and on the Fresno State Web site that they must sign up for a free campus e-mail account.

That is not a major chore, several students said Wednesday.

"I check e-mail every day," said Janiece Clardy, 19. "I began doing that at the beginning of the semester because I missed important stuff last semester if I didn't check. Academic and financial stuff."

Natalie Smith, 20, says that checking e-mail daily was "a pain" at first, but she now is in the habit. She doesn't like the material that sneaks into her e-mail along with the essential notices. She mentioned advertisements for Viagra, weight loss and fat-burning compounds, for instance.

Smith relies on another communications medium for important information: word of mouth.

Chou Moua, 21, learned of the new e-mail requirement by e-mail, and says it is no problem.

Jason Brown, 22, says: "I was under the impression that everybody had an e-mail account. Anything I've got by mail from Fresno State, I already knew from e-mail. Like registering for classes. I got a note from [President John] Welty, saying he wants everybody to have e-mail. I go, 'I thought everybody did.' "

Daniel Phillips, 23, says: "Things I get in the mail come weeks after I know from the Fresno State Web site. Everything works as long as you have access to a computer. I guess if you don't, it could be a problem."

A poster announces fall registration is Tuesday through May 7, and advises students to find out their appointment times and dates and any holds on their student portfolios on the campus Web site. They also may use a registration computer lab in the Student Union Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through May 7.