University Electronic Mail Student Notification Policy (Use of E-mail for Official Correspondence to Students)
Last revised: May 24, 2004 Last reviewed: May 24, 2004
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
A. Policy Statement
Electronic mail (e-mail), like postal mail, is a mechanism for official University communication to students. The University will exercise the right to send e-mail communications to all students, and the University will expect that e-mail communications will be received and read in a timely manner.
B. Scope
This policy applies to all admitted and enrolled students of The University of Texas at Austin. Official communications using e-mail can include e-mail to a group, such as all admitted students, or an e-mail message to only one student.
C. E-mail addresses
Every student must provide the University with his or her official e-mail address using the online update form in UT Direct. The student's official e-mail address is the destination to which the University will send official e-mail communications.
It is the responsibility of every student to keep the University informed of changes in his or her official e-mail address. Consequently, e-mail returned to the University with "User Unknown" is not an acceptable excuse for missed communication.
All admitted and enrolled students may claim an e-mail address at no additional cost as provided by Information Technology Services. ITS is responsible for providing centrally supported e-mail servers and addresses that assist the University in sending official communications.
The University cannot be responsible for the handling of e-mail by outside vendors (e.g., @aol.com, @hotmail.com) or by University departmental servers. A student may provide an official e-mail address resident on, or that forwards to, such a server at his or her own risk.
D. Expectations regarding frequency of reading e-mail
Students are expected to check e-mail on a frequent and regular basis in order to stay current with University-related communications, recognizing that certain communications may be time-critical. It is recommended that e-mail be checked daily, but at a minimum, twice per week. Regular e-mail management will also minimize the risk that the inbox will be full, causing the e-mail to be returned to the sender with an error. Undeliverable messages returned because of either a full inbox or use of a "spam" filter will be considered delivered without further action required of the University.
E. Privacy and confidentiality
Official University communications sent by e-mail are subject to the same public information, privacy and records retention requirements and policies as other official University communications.
F. Instructional uses of e-mail
Faculty members retain autonomy in determining how e-mail or other forms of electronic communication will be used in their classes, but must specify the requirements in the course syllabus. Faculty may expect that students are checking e-mail regularly, and faculty may use e-mail for their courses accordingly.
G. Authoritative source
The authoritative source on this policy and responsibility for its implementation rests with the Vice President for Information Technology.
H. For assistance
Contact the ITS Help Desk for technical support at 512-475-9400 (or send e-mail to the ITS Help Desk).
May 17, 2004
