Students reluctant to switch to new Outlook Live e-mail
The multi-step process for switch to Outlook Live is problematic.
Published Aug. 28, 2009
Approximately 5,000 students have yet to switch their student Webmail accounts to Microsoft Outlook Live, many of whom have encountered problems with the new system.
In May, students were asked to make the switch, which consists of a multi-step process and a couple of hours in which one's e-mail account is inaccessible.
Many students are facing problems regarding the initial switchover process, and some upperclassmen have encountered inconvenience regarding transferring all facets of their previous student Webmail accounts.
"Most of the problems students come forward with are related to the conversion process," Brandon Rodewald, Division of Information Technology assistant manager said. "This includes confusion with their new usernames and passwords they have to use in order to login. Generally, once we talk them through it they're able to log in."
Rodewald said students who used other features the previous Webmail system provided have a longer switchover process.
"There's also been problems getting mail moved to the new inboxes — it's quite a technical process," Rodewald said. "If they just want to move their mail from their inbox it's not a problem but people with contacts, calendars or more messages and folders have to go through a multi-step process."
Instructions for the process can be found online in DoIT's knowledge base. Students who are unable to find the instructions have the option to call DoIT and have someone walk them through it step-by-step. Other people have turned to their friends for help before resorting to DoIT assistance.
In addition to set-up problems, some students have encountered more troubling issues.
"I used to sign into the old e-mail accounts for awhile not knowing they were switched over, and by doing that, I missed an e-mail telling me audition music was online and many e-mails about my financial aid," sophomore Rachel Barry said.
Some students, including sophomore Kylie Tutko, have put off making the switch because they are comfortable with the old system.
After a few attempts, Tutko said she has yet to make the switch because she has her address set up to forward directly to her Gmail account.
"I actually tried about three times to switch to Outlook Live, I went through instructions line by line, and I had three different friends try to help me,'" Tutko said. "Still, I like using the old Webmail because it forwards to my Gmail account."
Tutko said she's become frustrated with the new Webmail system.
"I honestly haven't set it up," Tutko said. "It forwards to my Gmail and I don't think I can figure out how to do that with the new one. All of my family knows me at mizzou.edu so I'm keeping mine for as long as I can, until they kick me off."
DoIT Director Terry Robb said the date when students will be removed from their old e-mail accounts will be sometime in October, though a specific date has yet to be set.
"Students that don't switch would lose all of their old e-mails in their old account," Robb said. "Additionally, they would need to contact us to set up their new account because they would need login info."
E-mail reminders to switch over are being sent frequently to those who have yet to do so.