U of MN E-mail
Using Thunderbird for U of MN E-mail
How do I get an e-mail account?
An e-mail account is created automatically for students, when they first register for a University course; and for faculty and staff, when they enter University payroll. E-mail is also available (fees may apply) to departments and projects, sponsored employees, student groups, and alumni.
Using e-mail
Set up your personal or office computer for e-mail by following our e-mail configuration guides. This is the most full-featured way to send and receive e-mail. With the proper configuration, you can even compose and review messages offline.
When you are away from your own computer or are using a shared computer, WebMail is often the most convenient option. With only a Web browser and an Internet connection (which you presumably have if you are reading this online), you can log in to your e-mail. WebMail is the preferred way to check e-mail when using an Internet kiosk or one of our student computer facilities on campus.
To help keep the e-mail system running smoothly, please follow our E-mail Best Practices guidelines. Use of e-mail is subject to the University's information technology policies.
Junk mail ("spam") control
Although a few unsolicited ads and scam messages occasionally may get through to your inbox, keep in mind that, every week, the University's central junk mail filters keep millions such messages from being delivered in the first place!
To further restrict the e-mail that is allowed to reach your inbox, you may fine-tune your incoming e-mail controls. If you believe your friends' or colleagues' messages are being blocked inadvertently, you can examine your list of blocked senders and make an exception.
Forwarding, vacation auto-reply
When you are unable to check e-mail for an extended period of time, for instance, during vacation or sabbatical, you may choose to activate e-mail auto-reply. While activated, this mechanism automatically replies to individuals who e-mail you while you are away, notifying them that you will respond when you return.
Due to the importance of University e-mail as an official means of communication — for notices of course registration and billing, notifications for employee benefits, student/instructor correspondence, campus alerts, and more — we typically recommend that you do not casually forward your e-mail. However, a forwarding option is available if you need it.
Leaving the University?
If you are a graduating student or terminating faculty or staff, your e-mail account may be deactivated following your departure, depending on your role with the University, and other factors.
Group or bulk mailing
LISTSERV provides public or private mailing lists. You may allow all or select members to send to the list, and you may opt to retain message archives within LISTSERV.
Blocked messages
Sometimes the email server will block messages from someone with whom you need or want to communicate. You can change settings to allow email from that person or domain to be received by you, if necessary.
- Login in at www.umn.edu/dirtools
- From the "Manage Your E-mail" section, select "Show Blocked Incoming E-mail."
- Look for a message from the person and scroll to the right to select "Make an exception."
If you want to receive messages from multiple users from this domain, click "Incoming E-mail Controls," scroll down to the "Allowed Senders List" and add the necessary domain, e.g. @domain.xxx.
Changing X500
Faculty and staff can change their x.500 name, but there it can be very involved. It will require that you change your login for all central systems. For more information, please visit: http://www.carlsonschool.umn.edu/changex500
Creating a signature in Thunderbird
You can easily create a signature in Thunderbird. This must be done for each computer where you have Thunderbird installed.
Instructions to create a signature
Using Thunderbird offline
You can use Thunderbird offline. This is a useful option for travelers or when working in a location without network access.
Click here for instructions.
Installing Thunderbird on your home computer
The University has provided guides to install Thunderbird. Instructions
Finding addresses in Thunderbird
You can search for names in the University LDAP or the CSOM LDAP directories.
Instructions
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