University Student Email (UMail) Policy

Introduction

Each student is issued a University Network ID (UNID) and email (UMail) account for use throughout the time the student is registered for classes at the University of Utah. Accordingly, email is an available mechanism for official communication between the University and students.  Email services are provided to students of the University of Utah in support of the teaching, learning, and research mission of the University and the administrative functions to carry out that mission.  Email may not be used for unlawful activities.

Policy

A University assigned student email account shall be the University’s official means of communication with all University of Utah students.  The University reserves the right to send official communications to students by email with the full expectation that students will receive email and read these emails in a timely fashion.

Assignment of Student Email

Official University email accounts, which are called UMail accounts, are available for all registered and admitted students. Official University communications will be sent to students' official University UMail address.

Students are expected to check their UMail account on a frequent and consistent basis in order to stay current with University-related communications. Students must insure that there is sufficient space in their accounts to allow for email to be delivered. Students have the responsibility to recognize that certain communications may be time-critical. Students will not be held responsible for an interruption in their ability to access a message if system malfunctions or other system-related problems prevent timely delivery of, or access to, that message (e.g., power outages or email system viruses).

Course Related Use of Email

Faculty may assume that a student's official University email is a valid mechanism for communicating with a student, although faculty should exercise caution about including sensitive data, such as grades, in email messages. This policy will ensure that all students will be able to comply with course requirements communicated to them by email from their course instructors.

Forwarding of Email

Students who choose to forward their UMail account to a private (unofficial) email address outside the official University network address, do so at their own risk. The University is not responsible for any difficulties that may occur in the proper or timely transmission or access of email forwarded to any unofficial email address, and any such problems will not absolve students of their responsibility to know and comply with the content of official communications sent to students' official UMail email addresses.

Disclaimer:  Be sure to keep your account active and available to receive messages. Some commercially available accounts, such as Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo!mail, etc., may be automatically blocked if you reach or exceed a specified storage limit, or may be automatically closed if you do not login regularly. If you choose to forward your email to a different account, remember you are responsible to ensure that you can receive official University communications forwarded to your personal account. The University of Utah is not responsible for lost or deleted email due to account closures or storage restrictions.

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Policy Effective Date: May 14, 2007

References:

Rule 4-004A Acceptable Use Rev. 1, III-A-3 (Email Use)
http://regulations.utah.edu/it/rules/Rule4-004A.php

Policy 4-001: University Institutional Data Management Policy
http://regulations.utah.edu/it/4-001.php

Policy 4-002: Information Resources Policy
http://regulations.utah.edu/it/4-002.php