WMU > OIT > Help Desk > GoWMU

GoWMU Portal and E-mail Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a Web portal?
2. Where does e-mail fit in?
3. I access my e-mail using Microsoft Outlook. How will these changes affect me?
4. I am a GroupWise user. How will I be affected by the new system?
5. Why is mail forwarding being restricted?
6. Why do I have to use a firstname.lastname e-mail address instead of username@wmich.edu which used to work?

1. What is a Web portal?

A portal is a type of Web server that can deliver information and applications that are tailored to each user based on his or her identity and affiliations. Thus, the portal offers different information and services to students, faculty, and staff. In the future, portal services will be offered based on attributes such as a student's classification, college, major, specific course, or student organization membership. The portal provides secure access to personal information, because the data is encrypted over the network. If you have used a commercial portal-based Web service such as amazon.com, you should be able to navigate GoWMU.wmich.edu easily.

2. Where does e-mail fit in?

The Office of Information Technology has completed the installation of a major upgrade to our primary UNIX-based e-mail system. The new Java Enterprise System messaging server from Sun Microsystems includes a high-performance Web-based e-mail client that integrates with the GoWMU portal. By clicking the "E-mail" icon within GoWMU, you will access the new e-mail system.

3. I access my e-mail using Microsoft Outlook. How will these changes affect me?

If you use an IMAP-based e-mail client such as Outlook, Outlook Express, Netscape, Mozilla, or Eudora, you may continue to use your e-mail client without change.

4. I am a GroupWise user. How will I be affected by the new system?

If you are a GroupWise e-mail subscriber, your environment will not change at this time, except that you must use the firstname.lastname@wmich.edu format when sending to non-GroupWise recipients. To access GroupWise via the Web, you should still use http://groupwise.wmich.edu.

5. Why is mail forwarding being restricted?

It is anticipated that as the bulk of University business transactions are shifted to e-mail and the GoWMU portal, the amount of critical and sensitive e-mail will increase. The University cannot guarantee the delivery or security of any e-mail that is forwarded off-campus.

6. Why do I have to use a firstname.lastname e-mail address instead of username@wmich.edu which used to work?

The new system will allow only one way of defining e-mail addresses. With over 30,000 students and 3,000 faculty and staff, there are many last name duplications and very often e-mail meant confidentially for one person was sent in error to someone of the same last name. Therefore, the decision was made to use firstname.lastname. The combination of firstname with the lastname, greatly reduces the chances of sending e-mail to the wrong person. With WMU conducting all business transactions via e-mail, security of potentially sensitive information is then enhanced.