Service Alerts (1 New)

E-mail & Calendar

What You Need to Know

The university provides several e-mail options to current students, faculty, and staff. E-mail is an official means of communication, and sometimes that’s the only way information is delivered. Remember to check your e-mail account at least once a week and keep a current e-mail address on file with the university.

UMBS e-mail: Even if you already have an e-mail account, ITS recommends that students sign up for a UMBS e-mail account. Not only does it identify you as a member of one of the top universities in the country, it’s the best way for us to deliver your mail because other e-mail providers sometimes reject university e-mail.

Austin Exchange Messaging Service: With Austin Exchange Messaging Service (AEMS) e-mail, you can securely access, generate, and organize your e-mail, calendar, contacts, data, and more. This account also allows you to synchronize vital information found on your laptop, cellular phone, BlackBerry, and Pocket PC. AEMS accounts are available only to university faculty and staff.

Departmental e-mail: Your department may provide its own e-mail accounts. Ask your departmental contact if this is the right option for you.

Getting Started with E-mail

Step 1: Choose an e-mail option: UMBS or AEMS.

Step 2: Choose how you will read your e-mail and set it up:

UMBS E-mail Programs AEMS E-mail Programs
  • Webmail - Web-based program that lets you access e-mail from any Web browser on any computer with an Internet connection. No download or extra setup required.
  • Thunderbird - Free, open-source e-mail program for Windows, Mac, and Linux. A good choice if you usually check e-mail on your own computer and don't need the features of Outlook or Entourage.
  • Apple OS X Mail - Included with Mac OS X. A good choice if you usually check e-mail from your Mac and don't need the features of Entourage.
  • Outlook - Windows e-mail and calendaring application from Microsoft.
  • Entourage - Mac e-mail and calendaring application from Microsoft.
  • Windows Mail or Outlook Express - Included with Vista and earlier Windows OS. A good choice if you usually check e-mail from your computer and don't need the features of Outlook.
  • Outlook 2003 - Windows e-mail and calendaring program from Microsoft. Used by many faculty and staff on campus.
  • Outlook 2007 - Windows e-mail and calendaring program from Microsoft. Runs on Vista. Used by many faculty and staff on campus.
  • Entourage - Mac e-mail and calendaring program from Microsoft. Used by many faculty and staff on campus.
  • Outlook Web Access - Access your Premium e-mail from any Web browser on any computer with an Internet connection. No download required.
  • Apple OS X Mail - Included with Mac OS X, this is a good choice if you usually check your e-mail from your own Mac and don't need the features of Entourage.

Step 3: Use your e-mail responsibly! Learn how to prevent phishing and the importance of strong passwords.