Email FAQ
What is UCM Mail?
UCM Mail is the University's e-mail system. All students, faculty, and staff automatically receive UCM Mail accounts.
How can I access UCM Mail?
E-mail can be accessed using a modern web browser web browsers through myUCMerced or via the UCM Mail web client. Additionally, any client that supports IMAP with SSL will work with UCM Mail, including Eudora, Outlook, Outlook Express, Thunderbird, Netscape Mail, Mac OSX Mail, and Pine. IT recommends the use of Eudora (Windows and Macintosh) for which we provide full support. We also currently support Outlook.
What is IMAP and how does it affect limits on how much mail I can have or how long I can keep it?
IMAP stands for Internet Message Access Protocol and is widely considered to be the standard of choice for large e-mail implementations today. With IMAP, messages are normally kept on the IMAP server, even after being read. With UCMMail, messages are received until you reach your quota, at which point they will be bounced..
As your quota is approached (an increase can be made in the quota if warranted by special needs), UCMMail will send warning messages. You should remove messages on a regular basis, and especially before an extended absence, to ensure that sufficient space remains available for incoming messages.
Messages can be copied to local storage to preserve them. The storage quota does not apply to messages copied to local disks. Do be aware that most e-mail clients do not actually delete messages copied to Trash unless some additional action is taken, and that these messages count towards the storage quota.
How long will my email remain on the UC Merced email server?
Your email can remain on the UC Merced email server indefinately unless you manage your mailbox. This includes email in both your inbox and any folders you may have created on the server.
It is important to have copies of any email you wish you keep stored locally on your computer.
Is e-mail secure?
E-mail and log-on passwords are encrypted between you and the UCM Mail server. However, once out on the Internet, your email is not encrypted and you should assume it can be intercepted.
Can I access UCM Mail from my ISP account?
With the UCM Mail web client, you can access e-mail from almost anywhere. With native clients (e.g. Eudora and Outlook), you can receive e-mail using virtually all ISPs, but some ISPs will prevent you from sending mail unless you reconfigure to use their outgoing e-mail server. The UC Merced IT services website provides a partial list of ISPs that we have tested.
Where can I find e-mail addresses for UC Merced faculty, staff, and students?
The UC Merced electronic directory contains this information and can be accessed from most email clients.
Can I have e-mail addressed to "@ucmerced.edu" forwarded to another email address?
Yes, you can specify other delivery addresses through the Identity Management Services channel in the UC Merced Portal my.ucmerced.edu.
How do I change my password?
Passwords are maintained in our electronic directory, and the same password is used not only for e-mail, but also for the portal, calendar, document management, and other applications. Passwords may be changed throught the Identity Management Services channel within the UC Merced Portal my.ucmerced.edu
What is my e-mail address?
Your e-mail address is "ucmid"@ucmerced.edu, where "ucmid" is the UCMID assigned to you for accessing network services. Faculty and staff can also obtain an e-mail alias containing their names.
How do I update my vacation message?
Login to Our campus portal and click on "Update Vacation Message" from the Identity Management Services Channel within UC Merced's Campus Portal.
If I delete an email by accident, can it be recovered?
While the entire email system is backed up on a daily basis so that it can be recovered in the case of a hardware failure or similar issue, the complexity and required staff time to locate and recover a specific email precludes us from restoring email that is accidentally deleted by a user. Also, central back-ups are deleted after 30 days, in accordance with the need to adhere consistently to a documented retention policy in accordance with legislation governing electronic discovery. We strongly recommend that individuals archive and back-up email locally as appropriate to their needs. If you should need any assistance in doing this, please contact the IT Help Desk.
Looking for help?
We offer a number of tutorials and FAQs available in the Guides & FAQs section.
If you have any questions, problems, or comments, please contact the IT Help Desk via email at helpdesk@ucmerced.edu, via phone at 209.228.HELP (4357), or visit them in the Classroom and Office Building room 132A.