To All Spring 2015 Graduates

Congratulations on your graduation! Your McCombs technology resources (email, lab access, support) change upon your graduation. Read on to find out what changes and how to prevent data loss. We also recommend you read the Graduation FAQ page, which answers common graduation questions.

When you graduate, your McCombs account (MSB Account), and everything tied to it, will be deleted to make room for new students. This means that you no longer have a mailbox on the McCombs server, a My Site, or access to McCombs computer labs. You receive lifetime email forwarding, so you will not lose email and can continue sharing your McCombs address as long as you want.

Things you lose:

• McCombs Mailbox
• Access to McCombs Computer Labs
• Access to SWAT Shop
• Your Lynda.com account

Things you get:

• Lifetime Email Forwarding
• Copy of your mailbox at the time of account deletion, viewable through Outlook
• Continued access to McCombs Online Resources

Dates you should know:

* You can forward your email at any time, but if you wait until after your account is deleted you will miss email sent between the account deletion and when forwarding takes effect. Mailboxes should be backed up before account deletion, or you'll have to wait until the PST file is posted.

Essential steps to prepare for graduation:

1. Set up email forwarding before May 19. (instructions Email forwarding)

If you have not already started forwarding your McCombs email, set up email forwarding as soon as possible. When you set up email forwarding, your email will begin going to the forwarding address. The email address you forward to will become your lifetime email forwarding address upon graduation.  If you need to update your forwarding address, you will always be able to go back to McCombs Online Resources and change it.

If you did not set up forwarding by May 19, set it up as soon as possible.

2. If you did not already backup your entire mailbox or save or forward any important emails you want to keep, then you should do so by May 19. Your mailbox will be taken offline beginning this day (or soon after) so that a downloadable PST copy can be made of it before it is deleted. This process will take a few days to work through all mailboxes of graduating students. If you did not make your own back up of your mailbox by this time, then you will have to wait until the PST files are posted to access the contents of your mailbox. Your PST file is only viewable through Outlook. (instructions) 

3. Check the ITS Graduation website to find out what will happen to your UT tech resources, such as wireless network access, and your @utexas.edu email address (if you have one). The information on this site does not apply to McCombs resources.

4. If you forget to backup your mailbox, we will make a copy for you available to download from McCombs Online Resources June 5 through July 5. This contains your email, contact, and calendar items. It is only viewable through Outlook. (instructions)

Attn Mac Users: Your mailbox backup is only viewable through Outlook. If you do not have Outlook on your Mac, forward anything you want to keep to another email account.

Attn Gmail Users: If you forward your McCombs email to a Gmail account and want to check to see if your forwarding has begun, do not send a test email from your Gmail account. It will only appear in your Sent items, not in your Inbox.

Other recommended steps:

1. Buy any software you want to keep from the Campus Computer Store. If you have not already bought the latest version of Windows and Office, this is a great opportunity to get them at a low price.

2. If you downloaded anti-virus software from Bevoware, remove it and install new anti-virus software. (instructions)

3. If you use Outlook personal folders, find out where they are saved. (instructions)

4. Back up your files to a USB drive, DVD, CD, or external hard drive (because it’s always a good idea). Do not back up to a UT or McCombs provided resource. (instructions)

5. Set up your alternate email address (the one your McCombs mail is forwarded to) to send from your McCombs account, if your alternate email account allows this. (instructions)

Need help?

If you have any questions about the changes in your McCombs technology resources, or if you need assistance completing any of the steps above, contact the SWAT Shop.

512-232-6616

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