Starting Spring 2025, the University of Texas at Austin is implementing an official student email policy. This initiative aims to enhance communication, security, and access to university resources for all students. Each student receives an official UT Austin email address in the Microsoft 365 system with the suffix “@my.utexas.edu” when they become a current student, providing advanced security features, streamlined communication with faculty and peers, and access to powerful M365 tools like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive, and Teams. This official email address will be listed in each student’s record as their primary email. This change will ensure consistent and professional communication while offering benefits such as free software access, ultimately enriching the academic experience for all Longhorns.
Implementations
Provision of Official UT Austin Email Addresses
Every student will receive an official "@my.utexas.edu" email address when they become a current student. This account is part of the M365 system and offers advanced security features, access to M365 tools (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive, and Teams), and integration with university systems for streamlined communication.
Mandatory Use of Official Email for Communication
All official university communications, including correspondence with faculty, staff, and peers, will be conducted through these official email addresses. Students are required to set up and regularly monitor their accounts to ensure they receive important updates and information.
Enhanced Communication and Security Measures
The initiative focuses on improving communication efficiency and security. Students' official email addresses will be their primary email on record, offering a reliable channel for all university-related communications. Additionally, the system includes enhanced security to protect personal information and critical updates.
Student Email Transition Schedule
Incoming Students: Summer 2025
May 1, 2025 - For incoming (NEW) Summer 2025 students, the official University of Texas email address will become the primary communication.
Incoming Students: Fall 2025
May/July 2025 - Official UT email address becomes primary 05/08/2025 for incoming Fall 2025 students who meet the following criteria: students registered for orientation, Dell Med students, student athletes, and students with DOS accommodations, and 7/1/2025 for other incoming Fall 2025 students.
Current Students: Summer 2025
TBD - We are still in the process of determining the best date for switching current students to official student email.
Incoming Students: Spring 2026
December 1, 2025 - Incoming Spring 2026 students, official UT email address becomes primary student email address.
Challenges
The Canvas team is postponing transition to IID until May to ensure there is enough time to have a solution for tools like Canvas Credentials (achievement badges) that works smoothly and doesn’t negatively impact students.
Audiences
The primary audiences for this communications plan are students (undergraduate and graduate, FTIC and continuing) and faculty/staff. The secondary audience for this communications plan is parents/families.