Former students can continue to use @u, @nlaw, or @fsm 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

As your NetID begins to expire, you will lose the ability to log in to your account with your NetID and NetID password. To continue to access your account, you must log in with your Account Username and Account Password.

Your Account Username is your formal account name (e.g. JosephWildcat2013) that is displayed in the Northwestern Online Directory, not including the domain portion of the e-mail address. You can also see your formal account name at the top of any service page when you are logged in.

Your Account Password was chosen when you first activated your account. If you have forgotten this password, and your NetID is still active, visit Reset Account Password to set a new password. If your NetID is no longer active and you have graduated from Northwestern, visit Alumni Account Management to reset the account password.

NOTE: Account nicknames cannot be used to log in to your account. You must provide your formal account name.

Contact the NUIT Support Center online or call 847-491-HELP (4357) with other account questions before NetID expiration.

Student Group Account Transition

If you are currently the owner of an @u.northwestern.edu organization account that is used for a student group, contact the NUIT Support Center to transfer account ownership before leaving the University. After account ownership has been transferred, make sure that the new account owner changes the organization account password by visiting Reset Account Password.

Activate @alum.northwestern.edu Account

After NetID expiration, if you'd like to transition your @u.northwestern.edu account to an @alum.northwestern.edu account, visit Alumni Account Management. To activate an @alum.northwestern.edu account:

1. Export any account content/contacts that you'd like to retain.
2. Visit Alumni Account Managament and delete your @u.northwestern.edu account (NOTE: You can only have one Northwestern Google-powered account).
3. Visit Alumni Account Activation to create your new @alum.northwestern.edu account.

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

You can continue to use your @u, @nlaw, or @fsm 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. In addition, you will be given the option to activate an @alum.northwestern.edu account in lieu of @u.northwestern.edu account use after NetID deactivation.

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 or in non-participating graduate programs (i.e. Kellogg School of Management) cannot use this account for business or educational purposes.

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

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.

After NetID expiration, who do I contact for support?

After your NetID expires, NU alumni can continue to add or remove account nicknames, reset account passwords, and/or formally change the first and last names on the account. For these and other support issues after your NetID is deactivated, visit Alumni Account Management and contact alumni-admin@u.northwestern.edu with any support questions.

Before your NetID deactivates, contact the NUIT Support Center online or call 847-491-HELP (4357) with any questions. You can also visit the Google Apps Help Center for many general assistance and troubleshooting issues, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Additional Information

Support Contacts