Email - Technology Support Services

Documentation

This page provides key IT related information for NMU graduates and former students.

Notebook computer returns and purchase options

• The immediate return of the NMU notebook is required when any of the following occurs:

  • Complete withdrawal from NMU or graduation from NMU

  • Non-payment of required fees

  • Notification by NMU for the notebook computer's return

• We prefer you return the notebook to the Micro Repair office in LRC 114 when it is open. NMU Public Safety will accept notebook computer returns 24/7. Make sure the following components are returned with the notebook computer: AC power adapter and cord, LTE MyFi hotspot (if issued), and USB DVD Player (if issued). See the Notebook Computer Return Procedure for details.

• Graduating students are sent an email message about the option of purchasing a NMU notebook computer. See the NMU Laptop purchase information for details.

What happens to my NMU account after leaving NMU?

• Access to MyNMU account will continue for 1 year after leaving NMU if you are an undergraduate or 3 years if you are a graduate student regardless of whether you did or didn't graduate. After the 1 or 3 years has passed, your account will be disabled and no longer receive or send new messages.

• Shortly after leaving NMU your NMU network access, including access to NMU LTE, will be disabled. If you would like to continue NMU LTE access you might consider switching to NMU EAN. See www.nmu.edu/ean for details. NMU EAN doesn’t require an alumni email account but offers discounts to NMU Alumni with "Free E-mail for Life" (G Suite) accounts. See the NMU Alumni Association for details. 

We highly recommend:

• Saving or printing an unofficial copy of your transcript available in the "Student Services" tab on MyNMU before your account is disabled.

• Updating your email address and recovery accounts saved on Facebook, airline reservation systems, and similar services. This is especially true for those systems using your NMU email account for resetting an account password such as Facebook or Snapchat. You should update any references to your NMU email account to another accounts you have. The settings are usually available in your ‘My Account’ or ‘Profile’  options for the service.

• Archiving your messages if you do not plan to use your NMU email account after graduating or leaving NMU. We highly recommend saving any of the messages you want to keep to an email account you will be using and delete them from your NMU email account. Otherwise the stored messages could become an unmonitored repository of data for hackers and identity thieves. If you are on the older NMU email system it might be easiest to forward the messages you want to keep to another account and delete them and the rest of your messaages from your NMU email account. If you are on the new NMU G Suite gmail system the Backing Up NMU G Suite instructions cover how to make a copy of your NMU G Suite content into files you can take with you or restore to another account at a later time. You may want to  apply for a "Free E-mail for Life" (NMU Alumni G Suite) account to use from the NMU Alumni office before you leave NMU. See the NMU Alumni Association for details. Once you have an NMU Alumni account, G Suite makes it easy to transfer all your NMU G Suite content to your NMU Alumni G Suite account. See Backing Up NMU G Suite for instructions.

Documentation

At the HelpDesk, and throughout campus, there has been an influx of phishing attempts on NMU accounts. In response to this we would like to get the word out to the NMU community about ways to tell if you are looking at a possible phishing attempt. Our friends over at James Madison University (jmu.edu) came up with a great rule of thumb when faced with a possible attempt to gather personal information. They suggest, “counting the periods.” What this means is that you will want to look at the link, count back two from the first slash after “http://” and note those two sections. What you are looking at is what’s called the domain of the site or e-mail address. 

We hope that you are able to take this information and use it beyond your time here at NMU to continue to keep your personal information safe. Remember that Northern Michigan University, your bank, your financial advisors, and any other person or organization that deals with personal information will typically NOT ask for your information via e-mail including but not limited to: your password or your unique identifier (NMUIN, Member Number, Social Security Number, etc.).  If you ever receive a message asking for personal information it is safe practice to contact the support group for that organization. It’s always better to be safe and ask.

Knowing Trusted Domains
Identifying Untrustworthy Domains
 

Knowing Trusted Domains

http://www.nmu.edu/ - Here we count back two periods from that first slash after "http://" and we see "nmu.edu" which is the standard domain for an NMU site. 

https://mynmu.nmu.edu/ - Again, if we count back two periods from the slash we see "nmu.edu."

http://educat.nmu.edu - This one doesn't have a slash, so now what? Count your two periods back from the end of the address as if there was a slash and note the doman, in this case, "nmu.edu."

myuser.nmu.edu - This one doesn't have an 'http' or a slash! Follow the same guideline as the last example and you'll see the "nmu.edu" domain. 

Identifying Untrustworthy Domains

We recently recieved a phishing attempt on campus from http://mailnmuedu.webs/com, which is NOT a trusted NMU site and should NOT be followed or clicked. 

• Counting the periods here shows us that this is not an nmu.edu site. 
• If a link just says "Click Here" or you can't see the URL or domain, just hover over without clicking the link and a link description will appear. You can count the periods here.
• If an email ends in anything other than @nmu.edu or @mes.nmu.edu, chances are it's NOT from a trusted Northern Michigan University account, though we do use a few third party systems in some departments
• If you aren't sure, feel free to ask a coworker or contact the HelpDesk.

We hope that you are able to take this information and use it beyond your time here at NMU to continue to keep your personal information safe. Remember that Northern Michigan University, your bank, your financial advisors, and any other person or organization that deals with personal information will typically NOT ask for your information via e-mail including but not limited to: your password or your unique identifier (NMUIN, Member Number, Social Security Number, etc.).  If you ever receive a message asking for personal information it is safe practice to contact the support group for that organization. It’s always better to be safe and ask.

Documentation

Here are some tips to help you identify if an email is spam:

• Northern will NEVER ask you for any personal information such as your NMU password or Social Security Number through an email. In fact, NMU will NEVER ask for your password no matter what the circumstance could be.
• To be safe, never send any personal information over email. Over the phone is better, but in person is always the way to go.
• Never enter your information on a pop-up screen.
• To verify if links in an email are legitimate or not, move your cursor over the link to view the address used in the link. If it doesn't appear to match what the message is about don't click on it. If you are still not sure if it is legitimate contact the place of business to see if they sent it to you. 
• If the email address ends in something you do not recognize, don't trust it. If the email says that it is coming from the "Helpdesk" then it would come from helpdesk@nmu.edu. If it is coming from another email address it is most likely spam, you can get more information on this on our phishing attempts page.
• The message contains a fuzzy or illegitimate logo.
• The message shows the sender on behalf of someone, such as NMU, but does not have a legitimate NMU email address.
• The message requires you to enter a password.
• The message requires you to download a file.
• You may get emails about verifying your account or to take action quickly with a link for you to enter your information. Ignore and delete this type of email.

To avoid getting more spam emails:

• Do not sign up for services or use your email on sites that you do not trust.
• Unsubscribe from messages by looking at the bottom of the email for a button or link that says "unsubscribe".
• Change your NMU email spam settings in myuser.nmu.edu/user by following our instructions. 

If you clicked a link you don't trust or shouldn't have and entered your information:

1. If you entered your password after clicking the link, go to myuser.nmu.edu/user immediately to change your password.
2. If you downloaded or saved anything from an email that was illegitimate open your "downloads" folder by opening windows explorer and selecting "downloads" located on the left hand side of that screen.
3. After you delete the item from your downloads folder, empty your recycle bin as well that way it will no longer be on your computer.

Documentation

If you don't know your password or can't log into NMU services such as Email, MyNMU, or Educat, or your NMU G Suite account:

1. If you are new to NMU and have not set up your @nmu.edu account go to the MyUser "New User Page", https://myuser.nmu.edu/newuser. If you are a new user and can't log into MyUser "New User Page" contact the HelpDesk.


2. If you have already set up your @nmu.edu account and can't log into any NMU services such as Email, MyNMU, or Educat, or your NMU G Suite account go to the MyUser "View account status" page, https://myuser.nmu.edu/user, and use the "Login" button in the upper right corner of the page to login. You can log into the MyUser "View account status" page when your account will not work anywhere else to verify your account status and identify any problems and solutions for your account.


3. If you have already set up your @nmu.edu account and can't log into the MyUser "View account status" page  go to the MyUser "I lost my Password " page, https://myuser.nmu.edu/recover, and enter the required information to recover access to your account. If you can't log in there contact the HelpDesk.

Documentation

NMU has begun switching email accounts from on campus mail servers to Google G Suite servers.

Benefits for opting in to G Suite

• Your email address will remain the same - userid@nmu.edu
• No 21 day limit that automatically purges messages from your @nmu.edu email Inbox
• Unlimited Storage for email, documents and photos
• Calendar sharing
• Real-time collaboration with other faculty, staff and students using Google Drive and Google Docs
• Additional account Security with 2-Step Verification (optional)
• Hold video meetings with Hangouts

Please keep the following in mind before opting in:

• New email to your @nmu.edu and/or @mes.nmu.edu address will be delivered to the Google mail server (including calendar invites).
• Email forwarding settings set through MyUser will be ignored.
• The Webmail link in MyNMU will link to Google Gmail.
• Old email messages will not be automatically moved to your @nmu.edu gmail account.
• Old email can be accessed using the same method you used before opting in, typically Webmail, Outlook, Mac Mail, or OWA.
• You can also still send messages using the same methods (Webmail, Outlook, Mac Mail, or OWA) but keep in mind the sent messages will not be available in gmail unless you copy the message to yourself.
• If you are considering opting everyone in your department into G Suite at the same time please review the Departments Opting into G Suite page.
• Once you opt into G Suite you cannot go back to receiving messages with the previously used NMU email systems.

TO BEGIN USING G SUITE

1. Please note the NMU HelpDesk hours before opting in if you anticipate needing help. Currently the hours are displayed in the upper right corner of this page.
2. If you are uncomfortable with the opt-in process you can practice opting in using this NMU HelpDesk Interactive Virtual Guide.
3. Log in to MyUser and click on the 'G Suite' tab and click the 'Submit' button.
4. Click on the gmail.nmu.edu link provided on the page to set up gmail for the first time.

After opting in to G Suite you will have access to the following apps and more:

• 
  Gmail
•  
• 
  Calendar
•  
• 
  Drive
•  
• 
  Docs
•  
• 
  Hangouts

A brief introduction to G Suite's features is available at the G Suite Learning Center's QuickStart Guide

You might also want to use the Recommended G Suite Settings others have provided.

What to do with your older email

• If you only need a few of the older messages, you could use the access methods listed above to forward the previously received and sent messages to your G Suite account (yourID@nmu.edu).
• If you have a large quantity of messages, folders, and other items to move to G Suite you can use the instructions in the links below to import the content from the older systems to your G Suite account.
  • Importing Webmail content to G Suite
  • Importing Outlook and OWA content to G Suite

The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) or the NMU G  Suite Help pages may help you if you have more questions.

Documentation

Is the Opt-In to G Suite mandatory?
Will my @nmu.edu account be available for life?
How much space is available in G Suite?
Can I change my name displayed on by NMU G Suite account?
How long will the old NMU email access and systems remain available?
How can I access my old NMU email?
How can I move by old NMU email messages to NMU gmail?
Where do I now change my NMU gmail password?
How can I access NMU gmail using Mac Mail? 
How can I access NMU gmail using an iPhone?
How can I access NMU gmail using an Android phone?


 

Is the Opt-In to G Suite mandatory?

Yes. You don't have to opt in today but we'd like you to opt in before July 31st. The older systems (Webmail and Outlook Web Access (OWA)) will not be available after 12/22/17.

Will my @nmu.edu account be available for life?

No. NMU's current policy is undergraduate students keep their NMU email access for 1 year after they are no longer students. Graduate students keep their NMU email access. This access does not include NMU network Internet acess which is terminated shortly after you are no longer a student. 

However, you may be able to sign up for an @alumni.nmu.edu account using the "Free E-mail for Life" link under the "Programs & Services" section of the http://www.nmu.edu/alumniassociation website. These are also gmail accounts with similar access and features to the NMU G Suite accounts. You can also copy content from your @nmu.edu G Suite account to your @alumni.nmu.edu G Suite or other account by using the instructions at "Copy content from your school account to another account" in Google Help.

Can I change my name displayed on by NMU G Suite account?

No, but you can change the way your name is displayed when others get mail from you. See NMU G Suite account name changes

How long will the old NMU email access and systems remain available?

How can I move by old NMU email messages to NMU gmail?

OPTION 1

You could access your old NMU email using https://webmail.nmu.edu and forward messages you want to keep on NMU gmail to your UserID@nmu.edu address after you Opt-In to G Suite.

OPTION 2

The instructions below only import messages from the Inbox of your @nmu.edu account and don't include items in your Sent folder or other folders you may have in SquirrelMail or RoundCube. There is no easy way to move all your old NMU email messages to NMU gmail. You could access your old NMU email using https://webmail.nmu.edu and forward messages you want to keep on NMU gmail to your UserID@nmu.edu address. After you Opt-In to G Suite, the messages will be delivered to the NMU gmail account.

Use the Gmail import (only imports messages from inbox)

1.     With in Gmail in the top right, click Settings(gear icon) and then select Settings.
2.     Click the Accounts and Import or Accounts tab.
3.     In the second section, click Import mail and contacts.
4.     Follow the steps on the screen.
5.     Click Start import.

NOTE: It may take several hours (sometimes up to 2 days) before you start to see imported messages. You can close the window and keep using Northern Michigan University Mail or even log out and close your browser – Gmail will continue importing your mail and/or contacts in the background. To check the status of your import, look under Settings > Accounts and Import.

WARNING: Any messages in your old NMU email account Inbox older than 21 days are automatically deleted so you may want to be sure to move anything in your old Inbox you want to keep. The NMU gmail account doesn't have a 21 day limit on messages in the Inbox.

Where do I now change my NMU gmail password?

https://myuser.nmu.edu/user, the same as before.

How can I access NMU gmail using Mac Mail? 

See Google: Get started with IMAP or POP

How can I access NMU gmail using an iPhone or iPad?

Download and use the Gmail, Google Calendar, and related Google apps from the Apple App Store.

How can I access NMU gmail using an Android phone or tablet?

Download and use the Gmail, Google Calendar, and related Google apps from the Google Play Store.

Documentation

G-Suite Learning Center

• https://gsuite.google.com/learning-center
• Using G Suite a quickstart guide
• Using Gmail
• Using Google Calendar
• Using Google Drive
• Using Google Docs

Getting Help within G Suite Applications:
Click the Gear icon in the upper right of the Window and click ‘Help’.

Google Help Center

• Gmail Help Center
• Google Calendar Help Center
• Google Drive Help Center
• Google Docs Help Center
• Google Chat Help Center
• Google Account Help Center

Documentation

The NMU UserID or username for NMU students and employees are based on the person's legal name. This requires a legal name change with the Social Security office and students updating the information with the NMU Records office. NMU Employees would make the change with NMU Human Resources office. See the MyNMU, Student Services, "Name Change-Information" link for the most up to date information.

Once the legal name change is reflected on the MyUser system the person can work with HelpDesk staff to delete the old account and the new account will be created overnight. It is highly recommended to make NMU UserID or username changes between semesters when the impact of grades and records, especially for courses taken or taught on Educat, will be minimized.

Other than a legal name change, people have the options anytime to change their preferred first name using information in the MyNMU, Student Services, "Name Change-Information" link and how their name is displayed from messages sent via their NMU G Suite account (See NMU G Suite account name changes).

Documentation

Unless you retire as an employee at NMU, as a faculty, staff, or student your NMU G Suite account will become disabled 1 year after you leave NMU and 3 years afterward if you were a graduate student. For these reasons, or just for the piece of mind of having a backup of your NMU G Suite content for yourself, you might consider backing up your NMU G Suite content.

Backing up your content to a ZIP file

Google's Takeout application, https://takeout.google.com, can be used to create an archive and/or ZIP file of your NMU G Suite content and download it to your computer. Google Takeout will convert the Google document formats to offline formats (Google Docs -> Word format, etc.). If you have a large amount of content, such as many video files, creating a ZIP file using Google Takeout may not be a good choice. More information is available from Google at "Download your data" and a 1 minutes video at "How to Use Google Takeout - YouTube".

If you later chose to upload the content to a different G Suite account, open the Google Drive settings and choose the option to "convert files on upload" before you upload the files if you want them in the Google Docs and other formats again.

Transferring your content to another G Suite account

The same Google Takeout application offers a way to transfer the NMU G Suite content to another Google G Suite account using https://takeout.google.com/transfer. See "Copy content from your school account to another account" for details.

The Google Takeout Transfer option, https://takeout.google.com/transfer, may be a great choice especially if you have an "Email for Life" account available through the NMU Alumni office. The Alumni "Email for Life" accounts are Google G Suite accounts with an @alumni.nmu.edu email address, have unlimited space available to you, and currently, unlike your NMU G Suite account, do not expire. Visit http://nmu.edu/alumni and the "Email for Life" link to request an @alumni.nmu.edu Alumni G Suite account and see if you qualify.

Documentation

NMU users can be locked out of their NMU account (MyUser, MyNMU, Webmail, etc.) for various reasons, as listed below. Some of these lockouts can be fixed by the user, but many of the account lockout types will need the assistance of the Helpdesk to unlock. While locked out, a user will be unable to access most account services and will not have network access.

1. Copyright Violation - When a user is caught illegally downloading music, games, movies, or anything else defined as illegal in the Acceptable Use Policy, this type of lockout can occur. NMU will contact the user's email address, and then the user will have to come to the Helpdesk after his or her second offense to have a full-time staff member unlock the account. The user will also need to sign a waiver for the copyright violation. You can review the copyright violation system here. 
2. Password Recovery - If a user has forgotten his or her password and was unable to answer their challenge question through the password recovery system, the account will be locked and the user will need to come to the Helpdesk with photo identification. 
3. Virus Lockout - If a user has a device registered to his or her account that is infected with a virus, the user will be deregistered and will have to come to the Helpdesk for virus scans and to get the account unlocked. 
4. Spam/Compromised Account Lockout - If a user's account is locked due to spam, or identified in other ways as a compromised account , the user's account will be locked and unable to access email and other account services. The user should be able to log into MyUser to change his or her password and unlock the account. If not, the user will have to visit the Helpdesk to have the account unlocked.