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Overview: This FAQ provides essential information about how student email accounts work at VIU, including how to access your email, what to do if you encounter issues, and how your VIU student email differs from other email accounts. This guide is intended for students and employees who want to understand the student email system.
1. How do I get a student email?
All currently enrolled students are provided with a VIU email address. You will have received an email from us containing your email address and instructions on how to access it. If you've recently enrolled, the email also includes your default password. Otherwise, it will be the same as the computer account password you've already set up!
2. What does the email address look like?
Student email addresses follow the format: preferredname.lastname@my.viu.ca
3. How do I access my student email?
You can find detailed instructions on how to access your student email here: VIU Student and Employee Email / How do I access my email?
4. What do I do if my password doesn't work?
If you’ve just received your email credentials, please wait at least 2 hours before attempting to log in. If the password still doesn’t work, use the “forgot password” option. A code will be sent to your personal email on file in your student record, allowing you to reset your password. If you continue to experience issues, contact us at 250-740-6300 or visit the Student IT Support Desk (Library B305, 3rd floor, Nanaimo Campus)
Note: If you already have a Microsoft office account in use on your computer, please use a separate web browser for your school account.
5. How is this different from my @stumail.viu.ca email?
The old @stumail.viu.ca emails were only forwarding services that directed emails to your personal email address on file. The @my.viu.ca emails are full mailboxes with their own storage and functionality. If you already have a stumail address it will continue to work. That way if you had used it to sign up for services, you can still get in. No new ones can be created however.
6. Can I use my @my.viu.ca mailbox to access Microsoft Office?
Yes, you can! Instructions are available here: How do I get Microsoft Office 365 apps for my Personal Device?
7. Can I use the Outlook desktop or mobile app?
VIU IT services will assist with accessing your email via Outlook on the Web. It should work with both the Outlook desktop app, and mobile app. However, you will need to troubleshoot it yourself. You can find instructions on how to use these here: VIU Student and Employee Email / How do I access my email?
8. What is my mailbox quota?
Students are provided with 2GB of space for their mailbox.
9. What if I didn't get the email with instructions?
Check your spam folder first. If you still don’t see it, we may not have your personal email on file, or it might be incorrect. You can update your personal email address by accessing your student record.
10. Will VIU send communication to my VIU student mailbox?
The official method of communication from VIU is your personal email. However, notifications from Microsoft Teams will be sent to your VIU student mailbox, and some instructors may use it as well. Check with your instructors if you’re unsure.
11. What if I don't want to check my VIU student mailbox?
You can set up email forwarding to another email address that you check regularly. Instructions for setting up forwarding are available here: Forwarding Student Mailboxes.