This is a compiled list of frequently asked questions regarding the student email migration from MasonLive to Office 365.
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Will my email address stay the same?
No, your new account will be <netid>@gmu.edu and no longer MasonLive (<netid>@masonlive.gmu.edu).
I'm a Mason alum. What is happening to my email?
The Office of Alumni Relations and ITS are working together to identify a solution for alumni who are still using their MasonLive accounts. This summer’s transition should NOT impact alumni (including the class of 2021) who still use their MasonLive email account. Once a solution is identified, information will be shared with all alumni MasonLive account holders.
Why is 2FA necessary?
These changes are part of Mason’s continuing transition to improved policies and standards that follow national guidelines for online safety and security. 2FA is safer and lessens the risk of compromise. Using 2FA with your NetID and Patriot Pass Password helps ensure your information doesn't end up in the wrong hands. If you are not enrolled in 2FA yet, visit password.gmu.edu (log in and select 2FA Account Management from the left side menu) to do so before your MasonLive account is migrated. Once your account has been migrated to Office 365, you will be required to use 2FA to access your email.
Will my password stay the same?
No, you will use your Patriot Pass Password to access your email– the same as you use for Blackboard, Zoom, Patriot Web, and more. You will no longer use your separate Microsoft MasonLive Password.
Will there be any downtime where I can’t access email?
The migration should be seamless. One day your mail will be in MasonLive; the next, it will be in Office 365. ITS will communicate over the next several weeks as to when you can expect your migration to be complete.
Does this mean I can use other Office 365 apps like Word, Excel, and Teams?
Yes – but current students don’t have to wait until email is migrated. Mason students are licensed to use O365 apps on five different devices. Learn more at Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise (formerly Office 365 ProPlus). This migration will, however, make Microsoft Teams available for student use.
What’s a perk of this migration?
Full functionality with Microsoft Teams is the best perk. Microsoft Teams is a collaboration space that includes threaded chats, file sharing, video conferencing – pretty much everything you need to stay connected with your team. But this migration will also:
- Simplify service offerings at Mason
- Improve university-wide collaboration
- Deliver a consistent user experience across campus, and
- Eliminate extra password; use one password for all your Mason accounts
I'm an employee, but I am also a student. What happens to my email?
If you already have an @gmu.edu account (students who are also employees), your MasonLive information will be copied to your existing @gmu.edu account
What happens is someone emails me at my MasonLive account after the migration?
A forwarding rule will be added to all migrated @masonlive.gmu.edu account. After migrating, email sent to your @masonlive.gmu.edu address will be automatically forwarded to your @gmu.edu account for the remainder of 2021. (Note: There is no guarantee of forwarding after that time.) You should begin socializing your new @gmu.edu email address with your contacts.
What data will not be migrated?
The data that will not be migrated includes:
- Deleted/Trash items
- Junk folder items
- Recoverable items
- SharePoint data: Files stored in SharePoint libraries or any other files associated with other Microsoft service applications including and not limited to Sway, Stream
- Email signature
- Any data stored locally on an individual users’ computer
How many devices may I download Microsoft 365 for desktop or mobile use?
Office applications can be installed on up to five computers and five mobile devices per user.
How long will Masonlive emails be forwarded to gmu.edu mailboxes?
Emails sent to an individual's legacy email address (@masonlive.gmu.edu) will be forwarded to their new email address (NetID@gmu.edu) for the remainder of 2022. There is no guarantee of forwarding after that time.
What happens to OneDrive shared data links?
Links to data shared links with internal users will be moved over; however, migration does not recreate external sharing links. These need to be recreated in the destination tenant manually after the migration.
Which email addresses should I use when sharing files with students?
Use both NetID@gmu.edu and NetID@masonlive.gmu.edu to share files with students. This will ensure students have access to the shared files regardless of their migration status.
Note: since email forwarding will be enabled on MasonLive mailboxes after the migration, students will receive links to shared files regardless of the email addresses used. In the event students can’t access the files, they should reach out to their professors.
Can I change my display name in the new office 365 environment?
Last modified: April 6, 2022