Frequently Asked Questions

Understanding TU Email Addresses & Aliases

Who's Affected

About the New Services

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Understanding TU Email Addresses & Aliases

Why is The University of Tulsa making this change?

The change in email service hosting is prompted by the robust, cutting-edge email services of private, third party service providers that are well suited to the needs of students. Utilizing Google for student email provides benefits to both the student and the University because the private company is better able to scale up services to meet increased demand. This will result in a more robust email experience for students, while allowing the University to concentrate its Information Services resources for supporting other key TU initiatives.

Moreover, because email is a core business for these providers, and because they serve vast numbers of users, they are much better able than TU's email system to adjust to changes in load. This translates to more reliable, robust email for students.

Have any other universities done this?

Yes. TU joins a growing list of institutions that are using third-party email service providers—including Indiana University, the University of Pennsylvania, Northwestern, the University of Viginia, and Arizona State—who have offered Gmail with Google Apps to their students.

When will the transition happen? How will it work?

All new student accounts created after June 11th, 2008 will have an active Gmail account.

After June 11th, 2008, students using the current TU IMAP email service will also have a new, but inactive, Gmail account. Students may activate this account from myTU (My Stuff tab/Email Preferences) and will begin to receive email there within the hour. The current IMAP accounts will still be accessible throughout the summer and early fall.

Will my email address change?

No. Once you transition to the new service you will continue to use your current email address, normally of the form fname-lname@utulsa.edu.

Will I lose my alias?

If you have an email alias, it will continue to work normally.

Will my stored messages and folders migrate automatically to the new service?

An automatic migration process is not currently available. You can migrate your TU mail by following the instructions at the official Gmail blog. Depending on the size of your current mailbox, this process may take a few days.

You can choose to leave a copy of your messages on the TU server. Otherwise, your email will be deleted from the TU servers after it has been transferred.

Who's Affected

Does the change affect all students at TU?

All current students on the TU IMAP Mail Service will have the option, starting in late spring/early summer 2008, of selecting either Gmail or an account on the locally hosted Microsoft Exchange email server.

Will TU faculty and staff be allowed email accounts on the TU Gmail with Google Apps

Gmail accounts are only available for current students.

Will current alumni, who use the forwarding-only service, have access to the new email services?

Gmail accounts are only available for current students.

About the New Services

I already have a Gmail account. Can I combine my personal and University accounts?

At this time, there is no way for personal accounts to be merged with University accounts.

Where do I go to access my new email account?

Web access to Gmail is available via a tab on the myTU portal.  Web access is also available directly at https://gmail.utulsa.edu

How big will my quota be?

View Gmail with Google Apps for information on quota size.

Will I get a lot of spam using the new service?

No. Gmail uses state-of-the-art technologies to defeat spam.

Will my privacy be protected once I'm on the new service?

To find out more about Gmail's privacy policy and safeguards, please visit the following link:

Where can I go for help with the service I select?

The TU Help Desk at help@utulsa.edu or 918-631-3500 will help with transition issues, and will try to provide support for basic questions.