Student Email Transition: Frequently Asked Questions
The transition to move student emails from Gmail to Microsoft Office 365 will occur the week of May 13 and conclude on May 18. The College is moving student email to Microsoft Office 365 in order to move students and employees onto the same email platform.
Here are some key things to know:
- Will student email addresses change?
Every student WILL have a small but major change to their email address. It will still be part of the Durham Tech domain, but we are dropping the “connect” part of the email address.
For example, if your email address was smithj1234@connect.durhamtech.edu, it will become smithj1234@durhamtech.edu. Where you log in to access your account will also change. To log in to email and associated applications after the switch to Microsoft, visit https://office.com. Your password will remain the same.
- When will student emails transition to Office 365?
The transition of student emails to Office 365 will occur starting May 13 and ending May 18.
- Will students now using the Google platform lose the emails in their accounts?
No. The college will migrate emails. However, you will NOT have access to your student email from May 13 to May 18.
- How will tools and related interfaces change?
Microsoft Office 365 offers a variety of tools and services similar to those offered by Google. We recommend Microsoft 365's online dashboard if you are more accustomed to using Google's products like Google Docs and Google Drive.
- Students using Gmail will now use Outlook
- Students using Google Docs for document editing will now use Microsoft Word
- Students using Google Drive for storing and sharing files will now use Microsoft OneDrive
- Students using Google Slides for making presentations will now use Microsoft PowerPoint
- Students using Google Sheets for making spreadsheets will now use Microsoft Excel
After this transition, students will need to use Microsoft 365 applications to access their college email account and share files. Although the look and feel will initially be different, the basic functionality will be the same.
- Where do I go for help with the transition if I need it?
If you encounter any issues with the migration, please reach out to helpdesk@durhamtech.edu.
Office 365 offers many features that will be helpful to students:
- Enhanced Collaboration - Microsoft 365 offers a comprehensive suite of tools that facilitate seamless collaboration among students, faculty, and staff. Features such as SharePoint, Teams, and OneDrive provide robust platforms for teamwork and document sharing.
- Improved Security - With advanced security measures such as multi-factor authentication, encryption, and threat protection, Microsoft 365 offers a secure environment for storing and sharing sensitive information.
- Familiarity and Integration - Many of you may already be familiar with Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. By transitioning to Microsoft 365, we aim to provide a more integrated experience that leverages existing familiarity with these tools.