Graduating or Leaving Northwestern?

Users can continue to use @u or @nlaw accounts as a permanent e-mail and collaboration service after leaving the University; however, there are a few things to be aware of before NetID expiration.

Know your Account Username and Account Password
After NetID expiration, users must log in with the Account Username and Account Password. To reset a forgotten Account Password before NetID expiration, visit Account Management. Contact the NUIT Support Center at 847-491-HELP (4357) with other account questions before NetID expiration.

Group Account Owner Transition
For a smooth group account owner transition, group account owners must contact the NUIT Support Center to transfer account ownership upon leaving the University.

Additional information about post-graduation account options, support resources, and passwords is below.

• What are my options for post-University @u.northwestern.edu account use?
• Where can I locate my @u.northwestern.edu Account Username and Account Password?
• How can I purge all of my University content after graduation?
• How do I transfer ownership of an @u.northwestern.edu student group account?
• After NetID expiration, who do I contact for support?

Post Graduation/Separation Questions and Answers

What are my options for post-University @u.northwestern.edu account use?

You can continue to use your @u or @nlaw account as your permanent e-mail account after you leave Northwestern. You will receive a message several weeks before your NetID is deactivated that will explain your options for continuing to use this account.

When you receive the NetID deactivation message, you will be given the option to delete your account permanently if you wish, but this must be done before your NetID is deactivated. If you keep your account, you have the option to manually delete your University communications and documents when you are no longer a student.

Northwestern graduates who return to the University in a graduate program can continue to use this account for their academic activities provided that the graduate program participates in the @u.northwestern.edu service. NU graduates who return to the University as staff cannot use this account for business purposes.

Please be aware that in the future, Google is planning to display advertisements in your account. Active students will not see any advertisements.

Where can I locate my @u.northwestern.edu Account Username and Account Password?

Your Account Username is shown at the top of the page when you are logged into any of your account services. The Username is the portion of the e-mail address that is shown to the left of the "@" symbol. For example, "JoeWildcat2007" would be the Username for the JoeWildcat2007@u.northwestern.edu account. You cannot log in with a nickname.

If you do not know the Account Password, and you have an active NetID, you will need to reset the password. Enter a new password under the "Reset Password" section of the Account Management page and click the "Update Password" button. Your Account Username is also shown at the top of the Account Management page as the "Default E-mail Account".

After your NetID is deactivated, you will not be able to reset your Account Password from your account settings. Contact alumni-admin@u.northwestern.edu to reset your Account Password after NetID expiration.

How can I purge all of my University content after graduation?

To purge messages:
From your Inbox, click "Select: All", then click the "Delete" button. You can also select by Labels, then click "Select: All" and "Delete".

To purge contacts:
From your Inbox, click the "Contacts" link, then click "Select: All" and "Delete".

To purge calendars:
Click the "Manage Calendars" link at the bottom of the Calendar page. Then click the trash can icon to the right of any calendar that you wish to delete.

To purge documents:
From the Documents page, click "Select: All" at the bottom of the page. Then click the Delete icon on the tool bar.

To purge Sites:
Select the Site that you wish to delete, the click the "Site Settings" link, then select "Other Stuff". Click the "Delete this Site" link at the bottom of the page.

How do I transfer ownership of an @u.northwestern.edu student group account?

If you are the primary owner of the @u.northwestern.edu student group account, you will need to inform the NUIT Support Center of the transfer of account ownership when you graduate. Call the Support Center at 847-491-HELP (4357) or send an e-mail to consultant@northwestern.edu with the following information:

• The official name or e-mail address of the group account
• Your name and NetID
• The name and NetID of the new primary account owner

The NUIT Support Center can also reset the group account password on request.

After NetID expiration, who do I contact for support?

After your NetID expires, you will still be able to add or remove account nicknames, reset your account password or formally change the first and last names on the account. For these and other support issues after your NetID is deactivated, contact alumni-admin@u.northwestern.edu.

Current students and those with active NetIDs may also direct questions to the NUIT Support Center at 847-491-HELP (4357) or consultant@northwestern.edu.

Go to the Google Help Center for all general assistance and troubleshooting issues, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.