Email for Life FAQs

Q: Will access to my alumni email for life change?
A: Once you activate your account using this process, your alumni email will be available using the same login information. You may wish to take advantage of the security of this email address and use a forwarding function to your personal email.

Q: What will my new alumni email address be?
A: Your new email address will be yourfirstname.yourlastname@alumni.unbc.ca. We must use your legal name as it appears on your official student record at UNBC. If you have indicated a preferred first name, it will be used in lieu of your legal first name in both your email address and your display name. In the event of a conflict, we will add numbers to the end as needed. We chose this format so that you can use your alumni email for professional purposes.

Q: When do I get my alumni email address?
A: If you are a member of the current graduating class, you will be issued an alumni email address after UNBC's Official Convocation Ceremonies. Notifications are sent via email and letter mail once the address has been created. If you are a graduate from a previous year and were not issued an alumni email address, you will need to request one. Please email Alumni Relations. It will take between two and five business days to process your request, as we must ensure you are a UNBC graduate and assign you an email address.

Q: How do I access my account?
A: To access your account simply use your existing domain\username and password to log in at outlook.com/owa/unbc.ca.

Q: Can I request a different email address, e.g. using a different name?
A: Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate requests for personalized email addresses. We must use your legal name as it appears on your official student record at UNBC. If you have indicated a preferred first name, it will be used in lieu of your legal first name in both your email address and your display name. We If you have changed your name or you wish to use a preferred first name, you must complete an Official Name Change Request Form in order to have your email address updated. Please contact Alumni Relations for more information.

Q: What else can I use my UNBC alumni email address for?
A: It's a great address to use on your resume: it's clear, professional, and it shows employers that you have a UNBC degree, but how you use it is up to you.

Q: What happens to my old @unbc.ca student email account?
A: Your new alumni email address is replacing your student email address. What this means is that you will not lose any of the data in your mailbox, but you should let all your contacts know your email address has changed.

Q: Will UNBC send me emails at this new address?
A: UNBC wants to stay in touch with all of our alumni. We will use this email address and any other contact information you provide to keep you up-to-date on what's happening at UNBC and in the alumni community.

Q: Can I forward this account to another email address?
A: Yes, you can forward your @alumni.unbc.ca account to any email address you choose. How to Forward Alumni Email

Q: Is my personal information secure?
A: UNBC strives at all times to ensure the proper use, protection and security of your personal information in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA) of BC. Any information stored on UNBC servers is protected according to FOIPPA.

Q: Where is my email stored?
A: Your account and associated files are stored on UNBC servers.

Q: If I have not been assigned an alumni email account, how can I get one and how long will it take to create it?
A: To request an @alumni.unbc.ca email account, please email Alumni Relations. It will take between two and five business days to process your request, as we must ensure you are a UNBC graduate and assign you an email address.

Q: Can I keep using my alumni email address if I resume my studies at UNBC?
A: You can continue to use your alumni email address at any time. However, if you become an active student on campus, you will no longer be able to send email from your @alumni.unbc.ca. UNBC will re-issue your @unbc.ca student email account while you complete your studies. This will be your primary email account as long as you are an active student and UNBC will use this email address to contact you for official university business. Both email addresses will feed into your existing mailbox but you will only be able to send from your student email address.

Q: Who can I contact if I need help with my alumni email account?
A: If you are having technical difficulties with your alumni email account please contact the UNBC Client Services.

Q: If I do not know my password or my username, how can I activate to my account?
A: You will need to provide either a username or a password to activate your account. If you do not know either, please contact Alumni Relations or phone 1-866-937-8622 during regular business hours and we can assist you in activating your account. If you have some of your login information, visit the Forgotten Password or Forgotten Username web page and you will be prompted to provide information to complete the activation process.

Q: If I forget my password or username how can I access my account?
A: Once your account is activated, the recovery email address provided will allow you to easily recover your password or username if you forget it.