Earlier this week University Technology Services (UTS) launched a Webmail Frequently Asked Questions Web page, which provides more information on the switch to Webmail powered by Google. Details and how-to instructions will be added to the page as the transition nears.
Students are reminded to beware of a recent phishing e-mail that asks for the recipient’s e-mail username and password. The e-mail appears to come from onlineservices@oakland.edu, and it is not valid.
“The timing of this phishing e-mail is unfortunate. We would like to remind the OU community that UTS will never ask you for your username or password via e-mail, and you should never provide it,” said Terrie Rowe, OU’s Chief Information Officer. “If you receive an e-mail that asks for this information, always delete it immediately without responding, and do not click on any links in the e-mail.”
With Webmail powered by Google, students will retain their existing oakland.edu e-mail addresses. Faculty and staff, including those who also hold student status, will remain on the existing e-mail system but will notice a significant improvement in functionality once the student transition is complete.
Each student account on the new Webmail system will have more than 6 GB of storage space. Webmail powered by Google also offers improved spam prevention. Spam solutions for faculty and staff on the existing e-mail system are in the works.
Students will continue to log in to Webmail powered by Google from the existing Webmail page. Faculty and staff will also log in to the existing e-mail system from that page. The Webmail page will sport a new look when the transition is complete. Instructions for using an e-mail client to manage Webmail powered by Google will be added to the Webmail Frequently Asked Questions page in the coming days.
After the transition is made on April 2, students will have the option of importing their mail and contacts from the existing e-mail system to the Google system. On Friday, May 2, student e-mails and contact lists residing on the existing e-mail server will be permanently deleted. Because e-mail is not backed up for security reasons, messages that are not imported will be irrecoverable.