Once a Bull, Always a Bull!
We're changing how we communicate with each other, but we aren't saying goodbye.
Due to a significant increase in costs from Google and an increased risk of cyber attacks, the university will no longer be able to maintain alumni email accounts for more than one year after an active class registration.
This change will occur on December 15, 2023, and aligns with best practices in higher education locally, nationally and globally.
WHAT IS HAPPENING?
After December 15, you will no longer be able to access your USF email account or any of its contents.
NOTE: If you are currently an active faculty or staff member, you will retain your usf.edu email account for work purposes, however if you have a USF Google Workspace account ending in mail.usf.edu, it will be discontinued.
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?
To minimize the inconvenience of the change, we are providing advanced notice to our alumni so that you can save any data associated with your account if needed.
If you are not currently using your usf.edu or mail.usf.edu email, you do not need to take any action. Your account will be closed out after December 15, 2023.
If you are using USF email as your primary email account, you may want to open or use another email account. Many popular and reputable free email services are available, such as Outlook, Gmail and Yahoo Mail.
If you have any important data or messages stored in your USF email account, please make sure to back them up or forward them to another email account before the cutoff date.
- If your email address ends in usf.edu (USF Microsoft 365 email account), we recommend forwarding any messages you wish to keep to your personal email address.
- If your email address ends in mail.usf.edu (USF Google Workspace account), you can find instructions to download your data here and instructions for moving your data from one account to another here.
If you have any website registrations connected to an email address that is being discontinued, please update those settings with an alternate email address.
Please also review your alumni contact preferences using the personalized direct link provided in the email sent to you on October 18. You may also log in using your UID via: Myusfbio.org.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When will my USF alumni email end?
- You will no longer be able to access your USF email account after December 15, 2023. Emails sent to USF addresses will no longer be delivered and email forwarding from this address will end.
How long will alumni have access to USF email after graduation?
- Alumni will have access to their USF email for one year after their final semester of enrollment.
What if I am a retired faculty or current employee or student?
- If you are currently a retired faculty member or an active faculty or staff member, you will retain your usf.edu email account, however if you have a USF Google Workspace account ending in mail.usf.edu, it will be discontinued.
- Employees who become alumni will retain their usf.edu email address as long as they are employed at USF.
- Alumni who have returned to USF as a student will retain a usf.edu email as long as they are enrolled at USF; however, access to their USF Google Workspace account ending in mail.usf.edu will end on December 15, 2023.
Will this change impact retired faculty or individuals with professor emeritus or dean emeritus status?
- No, your usf.edu accounts will not be impacted.
What email migration support is the university providing for alumni?
- Alumni are responsible for backing up their own email data prior to their USF account closing.
How do I back up my USF email?
- If your email address ends in usf.edu (USF Microsoft 365 email account), we recommend forwarding any messages you wish to keep to your personal email address.
- If your email address ends in mail.usf.edu (USF Google Workspace account), you can find instructions to download your data here and instructions for moving your data from one account to another here.
Can I pay to keep my alumni email account?
- No. Alumni email accounts will close one year after graduation. There is no option to purchase additional years.
Can I forward emails to a new account?
- Email forwarding will work as long as the original USF account is open. Once your USF account closes on December 15, 2023, you will no longer be able to forward emails.
I received a notification that my account is closing, but I am still connected with USF as a student, staff, or faculty member. What should I do?
If you think you received a notification in error, contact our USF IT Service Desk through one of these methods:
- Chat: https://itchat.usf.edu
- Phone: (813) 974-HELP (4357)
- Submit a Ticket
How can I update my contact information?
- To update your contact information please click on the personalized link provided in the email sent to you on October 18. You may also log in using your UID via this website: Myusfbio.org