How do I activate my e-mail account?
How do I request a new e-mail account?
What is my e-mail address?
I can’t access my Outlook e-mail because the Exchange server seems to be down. What should I do?
How can I forward my EIU e-mail account to another e-mail account?
Can I check my e-mail account if I don't connect to the internet through EIU?
Is there a size limit on e-mail messages/attachments I send/receive?
How do I set up software to check my e-mail?
How can I block spam e-mail?
How long can I retain my EIU e-mail account after I leave the University?
How do I access and log onto the Barracuda spam/virus server?

How do I activate my e-mail account?

In order to use your student e-mail, access your personal web page, or use your dial-up access, you must first activate your account.  The entire activation procedure can be done on-line in a few minutes.  If you follow all the steps, you will be able to reset your own password in the future.  To activate your account:

1. Using any computer with a network connection, go to the EIU homepage, http://www.eiu.edu.
2. Click on the PAWS icon on the lower left.
3. You will be taken to the PAWS page.  Click the "Access PAWS System" link on the upper left.
4. A screen asking for your Social Security number and PIN [obtained from the Registration office] will appear.  Fill in this information and click the "Submit" button.
5. You will be taken to the PAWS main menu screen.  Click the "E-mail/WebCT" button on the upper right.
6. The PAWS message screen will appear.  This will show your "Account Name", "Account Password", and "WebCT Password".  Account refers to your E-mail/WebCT account.
7. Note this name and password.
8. Now go to the EzReset page, https://www.ezreset.eiu.edu/.
9. Click on the United States flag icon.
10. When the log-in screen appears, type your log-in ID [the one you received through PAWS] in the space provided.
11. Click "Log in."
12. When the new screen appears, type in your password [the one you received through PAWS].
13. Click "Verify".
14. A screen will appear asking you to pose four personal security questions and answers. Click in each box and enter the appropriate information.
15. Click "Submit".
16. Another screen will appear.  Click "Main".
17. Another screen will appear.  Type in a new password that meets the rules laid out on the reset page.  Or click "Pick new password", and P-Synch will provide you with several potential passwords from which you can pick.
18. Click "Change my password". You have now reset your password.
19. Click "Main", to return to the P-Synch homepage, and click "Logout".
20. If you forget your password in the future, you will need to answer your personal questions and then reset your password yourself.

Note:  At this time there is no synchronization between WebCT and the new P-Synch system.  Changing your password through WebCT is independent of the e-mail password change.

How do I request a new e-mail account?

If you are a student, you receive only one e-mail account when you enroll with the Eastern Illinois University. For information on how to activate your account, please see How do I activate my e-mail account?

If you are Faculty, Staff or you want a e-mail account for your group or department, you have to complete this form on -line:

What is my e-mail address?

Your EIU e-mail address is: your_user_ID@eiu.edu (e.g. FMLastname@eiu.edu). Remember, your user ID can be found using the phone book from EIU's home page.

I can’t access my Outlook e-mail because the Exchange server seems to be down. What should I do?

The Exchange server probably is not down. The problem most likely is that your computer can’t access the server because you are not properly logged onto the EIU domain. Because of a Microsoft NT security feature designed to protect users’ e-mail accounts, only a user properly logged onto a domain can access the mailbox for that userID. Those not properly logged on may get an error message saying, “Unable to display the folder. You do not have permission to log on.” Or, they may see a dialog box listing the userID and domain and requesting a password. To log in properly, close the error message/dialog box. Log off Windows, then log on again. (If your password has expired, you will be informed at this time and can create a new one.) Once you log back into Windows, open Outlook and try to access your account again. If you still are unable to do so, reboot, log on and retry. If your account still is locked or if you can’t change your password, call the ITS Help Desk at 581-4357. Give your userID when asked, and your account will be unlocked or password reset. Once this is done, you should be able to access your Outlook e-mail.

How can I forward my EIU e-mail account to another e-mail account?

Detailed instructions (html and pdf) for setting up a forward on your EIU e-mail account to another e-mail account such as a hotmail or yahoo account can be found at:

Can I check my e-mail account if I don't connect to the internet through EIU?

YES. All you have to do is to go to http://www.eiu.edu/webmail/.

Is there a size limit on e-mail messages/attachments I send/receive?

YES. The maximum size of an e-mail is 100MB. If you are trying to send/receive a larger e-mail, it will bounce back to the sender as undeliverable, with the following message:

"An error occurred while sending mail. The mail server responded: 5.2.3 Message exceeds maximum file size (100000000). Please check the message and try again."

How do I set up software to check my e-mail?

You can use different software packages to check your e-mail. Detailed instructions can be found at:

Eudora
Outlook Express
Pine (pdf)
Outlook using the Exchange Server (Faculty/Staff)
Web access for Outlook Exchange
Web E-mail

How can I block spam e-mail?

Eudora
Outlook Express
Outlook using the Exchange Server (Faculty/Staff)

How long can I retain my EIU e-mail account after I leave the University?

Only for 40 days after the beginning of the semester that you are not enrolled in.