VU Gmail FAQ

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Vanderbilt University Gmail FAQs

Gmail

Why is Vanderbilt offering VU Gmail to undergraduate students?
In partnering with Google, we are providing our undergrads with a widely used full featured email service at no cost to the University. In doing so our students will benefit from Google’s cutting edge research and development.

If I opt in to VU Gmail, will my “vanderbilt.edu” email address change?
No. Your Vanderbilt email address(es) will remain the same and you will receive email for those addresses.

Can I change my preferred email address after I migrate to VU Gmail?
Yes, you can but it is much easier to change before you migrate to VU Gmail. For information see the Modify Personal Options page.

Can I move my existing VUmail email into my Vanderbilt Gmail account?
Yes. You can batch import your exisiting VUmail into your VU Gmail account. For more information see the Moving VUmail to Gmail page.

Does Vanderbilt provide support for VU Gmail?
No. VU Gmail support is available only through Google at their Gmail Help Center.
The Gmail Getting Started Guide may also be helpful.

Should I back up my VU Gmail?
Absolutely. Backing up VU Gmail is your responsibility. If any of your Gmail is lost for whatever reason, Vanderbilt ITS cannot restore it. Refer to the Gmail Help Center for more information.

What if there is a service disruption to my VU Gmail account? Can Vanderbilt ITS help correct the problem?
No. Aside from a problem connecting to Google Gmail, your Gmail account is completely administered by Google.

In addition to my VUnetID and e-password, will I need an additional Gmail log in and password to access my VU Gmail account?
You will access your VU Gmail using your VUnetID and e-password.

How much storage space will I have with Gmail?
Each Vanderbilt undergraduate student will receive 6.5 GB. That is sixty five times the 100 MB default for VUmail.

Why isn’t Vanderbilt Gmail available to faculty, staff, and graduate students?
Our immediate focus is to provide access to Gmail accounts for our undergraduates. The scope of the service offering may be reassessed as appropriate in the future.

How long will my VUmail account remain available if I switch to Vanderbilt Gmail?
Your VUmail email will be removed 30 days after you activate VU Gmail.

Can I switch back to VUmail if I don’t like VU Gmail?
No. VUmail is no longer offered as an email option to undergraduates. You may however, forward your email to the provider of your choosing. Refer to the Modify Personal Options page for instructions.

I’m a new student what are my options?
You will be provided with a VU Gmail account. You may choose to forward your VU Gmail to the provider of your choosing. Refer to the Modify Personal Options page for instructions.

How can I add a new Vanderbilt email identity (alias) to my Gmail account?
For information on adding email aliases, refer to Gmail’s instructions for changing your From address.

What if I already have a Gmail account?
If you already have a Gmail account and create a Vanderbilt Gmail account, your original account will be superseded. That is you will only be able to send/receive mail from your VU Gmail account.

If I already have a Gmail account can I migrate it into my VU Gmail account?
You should be able to migrate your existing Gmail into your VU Gmail account. Check the Gmail Help Center for details

Can I access my VU Gmail with an external email client such as Outlook, Thunderbird, or MacMail?
Yes, but you must set up an External Client Password in VU Gmail. Set up the password via the preceding link; you cannot set up this password through the Gmail Help Center. Please visit the Gmail Help Center for additional instructions on accessing Gmail through an external client.
** Please note that the user name for an email client will be your full Vanderbilt email address (jane.doe@vanderbilt.edu for example). After setting the password, please allow up to 15 minutes before configuring an email client.

Does VU Gmail work with Vanderbilt's Webmail?
VU Gmail has a separate log-in, and is not tied to Vanderbilt's webmail.

Will I See Gmail related ads?
No, VU Gmail users will not receive ads.

What is the maximum size for a Gmail attachment?
If sending email to other Vanderbilt email addresses, the limit is approximately 15MB. Gmail limits the attachment size to 20MB, but the recipient's email system may not allow attachments of this size.

If I need to access a group mailbox on VUGroupMail, will I still be able to access it after migrating to VU Gmail?
Yes, you will log-in to VUwebmail and choose VUGroupMail next to the Log in to field. The Dean of Students IT group maintains the list of students who can access group mailboxes. Please contact them if you need access to a group mailbox.

If I am a work-study student for a Vanderbilt department, can I still use VU Gmail?
This will depend on the nature of the work flow and sensitivity of the data of your employing department. In some instances, students are required to be on email that works best with that department. Gmail is stored on servers off-campus, so your department may require you to use VUmail, VUMC Exchange or University Exchange for email.

What happens when I graduate?
Undergraduate students can use their VU Gmail account @vanderbilt.edu, after graduation. Students using VU Gmail accounts will be able to continue using their accounts indefinitely.

Students also have access to the services offered by Vanderbilt Alumni Relations. Vanderbilt Alumni Relations offers free online services - an online directory, e-mail forwarding, class notes, Commodore Career Connection and discussion groups - as part of their ongoing effort to connect alumni back to the University, and to fellow Commodores. Click here for additional details.