To the graduating MBA Class of 2009: Congratulations on a job well done! We know each of you will go out into the world and leave your mark. As the Smith School moves forward, we do it best with our most valuable resource - our alumni. You are a very important part of the Smith community. As we continue to build this community, we want to stay connected to you and we want you to stay connected to each other. Many of you are probably wondering what will happen to your accounts after graduation and how can you stay connected to the Smith community? This e-mail will inform you of important dates and details regarding both of these matters. Smith Accounts Your Smith accounts will remain active until Friday, June 19, 2009. After this date, your access will be disabled and accounts removed from our servers, however, you can continue to be reached at your Smith E-Mail Address for Life! This means that you will need to log in to the Alumni Network and provide a forwarding address so that e-mail can continue to reach you. Your Blackberry service will be disabled on Friday, May 22, 2009. As mentioned above, you will still retain access to your e-mail inbox via Webmail or the MyUM MySmith portal until June 19. You must return your device (and all components) to the Smith IT Helpdesk no later than Friday, May 22, 2009. PLEASE NOTE- Failure to return the device and its components will result in a charge of $59.99 to your student account. E-mail & File Storage Q&A Question: When and how do I provide a forwarding e-mail address for my @rhsmith.umd.edu E-mail Address for Life? Answer: You can provide a forwarding address to another e-mail account by updating your Alumni Profile: http://alumninetwork.rhsmith.umd.edu. Once you have located your profile, click on Edit and then enter your new forwarding e-mail address (e.g. fjackson@yahoo.com), then click Save. You may start forwarding your mail to a new mailbox at anytime. Question: Why is it important that I update my profile? Answer: Remember when you were conducting interviews and gave your business card to a prospective employer? More than likely, that business card contained your @rhsmith.umd.edu e-mail address. Many employers hold on to those cards as a reference, and you can always be reached via your @rhsmith.umd.edu address. The Alumni Network has many other features and services to help you connect with fellow alumni. Question: What happens to all of the old e-mails, attachments and folders when my mailbox expires? Will I still be able to access them, or do I have to forward them to another e-mail account? Answer: After June 19, your Lotus Notes mailbox/folders/files will be removed. Between now and June 19, you should forward e-mails that you want to keep from your Smith School mailbox to another mail account (e.g. fjackson@yahoo.com). Once the Lotus Notes e-mail mailbox has been removed, you will no longer have access to the old e-mails, attachments or folders. Question: Can I make a copy of my mailbox to take with me? Answer: Yes. We recommend making a copy of your mailbox with your mail program of choice using IMAP. Alternatively if you use Lotus Notes, you can make a local copy of your mailbox to put onto CD. Computer labs in VMH are equipped to store files to CD. To learn more about making a copy with IMAP or Notes, go to: http://www.rhsmith.umd.edu/smithit/MailFileCopy.pdf
Question: How long will I have access to login to the machines in the computer labs? What happens to files stored on my K:\drive? Answer: Your Novell account will stay active until June 19. You will be able to log in to any machine in the computer labs located in VMH through that date. Your files will remain on your K:\ drive until June 19, at which time they will be removed. You can also make a local copy of your network file to put onto CD.
Please note: Given the economic climate, we understand that many of you may be in the midst of seeking employment. You can request an extension of your Smith accounts for up to one year by completing this online form: http://www.rhsmith.umd.edu/smithit/moreitresources/online_forms.html
Blackberry Q&A Question: When will my Blackberry mail service be disabled? Answer: Your Blackberry mail service will remain active until Friday, May 22. Question: When do I need to return my device and to whom do I return it? Answer: If you choose NOT to purchase your Smith Blackberry, you must return your device (and all components) to the Smith IT Helpdesk no later than Friday, May 22, 2009. PLEASE NOTE- Failure to return the device and its components will result in a charge of $59.99 to your student account. Question: What if I want to keep my current Blackberry device and my e-mail service? Answer: Bring payment to the Masters Program Office no later than Friday, May 22 in the form of a CHECK ONLY in the amount of $59.99. Make checks payable to: Robert H. Smith School of Business. You will need to sign up for the Verizon service at your own discretion. To assist you, a Verizon representative will be available during these times: Tuesday, May 19: 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 20: 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Thursday, May 21: 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. MyUM MySmith Portal, VBIC, and Blackboard Q&A Question: When does my University Directory ID expire? Answer: Your status with the University Directory will change from current student to alumni on January 25, 2010. Your access to campus computer systems will then be disabled. Question: Specifically, how long will I have access to the MyUM MySmith Portal, VBIC and the remote Windows applications? Answer: You can continue accessing the MyUM MySmith Portal with your University Directory ID until January 25, 2010. You will be able to access the remote Windows applications & VBIC by using the generic log in instructions that are provided after you have logged into MyUM. You will NOT be able to use the Lotus Notes client or gain access to your K:\drive, as those files will be removed as mentioned above. Question: How long will I have access to Blackboard course material? Answer: Per university guidelines, access to Blackboard course material will be revoked (3) three weeks after the current semester therefore you should consider making a local copy of your course material prior to your departure.
Career Management Q&A Question: How do I continue to access HireSmith for job posting information? Answer: You still have access to HireSmith after you graduate. If you are using your University Directory ID to access HireSmith, you should continue to do so, even after January 2010. Please make sure your e-mail address in your HireSmith profile is accurate so you can receive updates from the OCM. Question: Do I continue to maintain my HireSmith profile? Answer: You will continue to maintain your own profile in HireSmith. We will change your account status to “Alumni”. Please save your resumes, cover letters and credentials on your computer. We hope this answers your questions about your Smith accounts. If you have any further questions, please contact the Office of Smith IT at 301-405-2269. Mailboxes and Lockers The locker assigned to you at Orientation must be left clean and empty prior to your departure or no later than Friday, May 22, 2009. If your locker has not been emptied by this date, it will be opened and the contents discarded. Please remember to leave the lock on the locker. Please note that there will be a charge for missing locks. We are not responsible for any items left in your assigned locker after Friday, May 22, 2009. Please also remove all items from your assigned mailbox no later than Friday, May 22, 2009. We do not have the ability to forward mail received beyond your Graduation date. If you are expecting something important, please contact Mary Susan Forsythe in the Masters Programs Office for assistance. Remember to stay connected to the Smith Community Access the Alumni Network!!! The Alumni Network unites all Smith alumni and students, both full-time and part-time, and builds a community focused on a common goal: Maximizing the value of your Smith School education. Log in to the Alumni Network at: http://alumninetwork.rhsmith.umd.edu.