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    JSU Home » Division of Info Tech » Academic Computing » Email » GEM Help

    GEM Help


    GEM Usage Policy

    Intended use of this system is for Jacksonville State University students, faculty, and staff. All persons who use this system are subject to the guidelines noted in JSU Acceptable Use Policy.

    NOTE: The card given to students at Preview Day with username and password is for my.jsu.edu NOT gem.jsu.edu.

    Frequently asked questions:


    What is GEM?

    Gamecock Electronic Mail (GEM), is a web based interface to JSU student e-mail. GEM provides essential e-mail functionality, plus easy access to changing your e-mail password and the option of forwarding your JSU e-mail to your own non-JSU e-mail account. GEM is available to JSU students from any computer with Internet access and a web browser.


    Activation of the account

    Student accounts will be active on the second business day after registration (including: pre-registration, preview day, and orientation).


    De-activation of the account

    Active student accounts remain functional until the first business day after registration closes during the first Fall, or Spring semester that the student is NOT enrolled. All accounts are subject to early de-activation as per the university‘s Network and e-mail Use policy: http://www.jsu.edu/dit/acns/use-policy.html.


    To find your e-mail account and Username

    1. All student e-mail addresses can be found by searching the online e-mail directory at http://www.jsu.edu/search.html. If you are NOT in the directory refer to the activation/de-activation guidelines. If you believe your account should be active but is not listed in the directory, please contact Academic Computing and Network Support at (256) 782-5381. Use the online form to submit GEM related questions to the GEM administrator.

      Example:
      Your e-mail address: jsuxxxxx@.jsu.edu
      NOTE: Your user name is only the jsuxxxxx portion of your address

    2. If you have problems using the online e-mail directory, you can use the Student Access System. To log into the Student Access System the default PIN # is the four (4) digits of your birth month and day (IE July 11 = 0711). If you do not know your Student ID # or PIN # you must to go to the Registrar's Office with a picture ID.
    3. Once you have logged into the Student Access System you will click on Change/View Address. On the Change/View Address screen you will see your JSU e-mail Address. Your GEM account is the jsuxxxxx portion of the address.

    4. If your JSU e-mail Address contains "Not Active" your account is not currently active on the JSU e-mail system. Please refer to the activation/de-activation guidelines above if your account is "Not Active".

    Your initial GEM password

    Your GEM password is the four (4) digits of your birth month and day plus the last 4 digits of your student ID number (not your Social Security Number). For example, if your birthday is February 29th and the last 4 digits of your new student ID number are 4321, then your GEM password would be 02294321). It is highly recommended that you change your GEM password the FIRST time you log into GEM using the Secure Connection (SSL) link on the GEM homepage.


    Logging into the GEM system
    To access the GEM system, open your web browser and open the site http://gem.jsu.edu.

    You will be asked to type in your e-mail username and password.

    When you are finished using GEM, you MUST click the LOGOUT button to end your session. By clicking the LOGOUT button you ensure that your account session closes and cannot be used by anyone else. We also recommend STRONGLY that you completely CLOSE your browser AFTER clicking LOGOUT. This is especially true if you are using a public computer (Ex: JSU Computer Labs).

    Using the GEM system

    After logging in you may check your inbox for new mail messages, compose messages, maintain an e-mail address book, create folders, set your from name, create an e-mail signature, change your e-mail password, and/or forward your e-mail.

    Components of GEM Include:

    • The Mailbox Listing

      The contents of your Inbox folder will be displayed immediately upon logging in. The Mailbox Listing shows the contents of each message's header (message status, date sent, sender, subject, and size). Each column has a heading. Clicking on the heading will cause the listing to be sorted by that column.

      To view the contents of a message, click on the message's subject. You'll be taken to the Message screen.

    • The Message Screen

      The Message Screen displays the contents of the selected message. From here, you can browse message attachments, reply to the current message, delete the current message, or advance to the next message in your current mailbox.

    • The Compose Window

      You can send mail in a variety ways. You might choose to compose a new message or perhaps to reply to an existing message. Whichever method you choose, however, will open the standard Compose Window.

    • The Preferences Window

      The Preferences Window allows the user to: Create a signature to be added to each outbound message and/or change the from field on your messages to a more personalized choice (ex - from: "jsuxxxxx@student-mail.jsu.edu" to from: "Joe Smith").


    Changing your password

    You may change your password as often as you like. It is recommended that you use the Secure Connection while changing your password.

    1. After logging in to GEM, click on CHANGE PASSWORD.
    2. Type your old password.
    3. Type a new password that you wish to use.
    4. Retype your new password.
    5. Click the Change Password button to make the changes.


    Lost passwords?

    If you have never changed your password, you should be able to log in to your account using your initial GEM password.

    If you originally changed your password, then you will have to do one of the following:

    • If you are enrolled in any course that meets on the JSU (Jacksonville) campus, you have to bring your photo ID to 239 Self Hall for ID verification and assistance. *
    • If you are not enrolled in any course that meets on the JSU (Jacksonville) campus, you may contact 256-782-5381 for assistance. You will be asked to provide personal information for ID verification purposes. *

    * We do not issue passwords, password changes or give out personal information without your proper ID. This is to protect your personal information. If you do not know your student number, you must contact the Registrar's Office.


    Forwarding e-mail to a different address

    1. After logging in to the GEM system, click on "Forwards".
    2. Type in the e-mail address that will receive the forwarded messages. ALL e-mail sent to your GEM e-mail address will be redirected to this account.
    3. Type in your password and click the "Submit" button.
    4. This feature forwards ALL new mail to the address you type in. This feature does NOT forward individual messages you have already received.
    • NOTE: If your forward is not set up properly, you will not receive your e-mail and it will fail back to the sender. An improperly configured mail forward may be removed.


    Using Hotmail to receive GEM e-mail

    If you choose to have your GEM e-mail forwarded to a Hotmail account, you will need to configure your Hotmail settings.

    NOTE: this will not work unless you have setup GEM to forward your e-mail to a different address.

    1. After logging in to Hotmail, click on OPTIONS.


    2. Under the "MAIL HANDLING" heading, click on "SAFE LIST".


    3. Type jsu.edu into the text box.


    4. Click "ADD".


    5. Click "OK".

    Your Hotmail account will now be able to receive your forwarded GEM e-mail.



    e-mail maintenance schedule (removal of old mail)

    The GEM e-mail system is configured to purge older e-mail from your account. By this process automatically removing older messages from your account and keeping your disk usage at a minimum, your "housekeeping" is much more simplified.

    The automatic purge schedule is...

    • Trash Folder : Mail older than 3 days is purged.
    • Bulk-Mail : Mail older than 10 days is purged.
    • Sent-Mail : Mail older than 30 days is purged.
    • Inbox : Mail older than 30 days is purged.

    Mail that is kept in user-created folders will not be automatically purged. However, users might be asked to remove or offload files to alternate storage areas if a system administrator determines they are using excessive disk space. Often excessive disk space is used by those who save e-mail messages with large attacments. Please try to offload messages with large attachments if possible. Often those who abuse disk space are not aware it. We will make every effort to keep users informed regarding their disk utilization and assist in removing/offloading files if necessary.


    Legal name changes

    After officially changing your name with the JSU Registrar's Office, fill out this form and click "submit". Please state that you wish to change your name on the Student e-mail listing. You need to provide your previous full name, your new full name and your GEM account information.

    PLEASE NOTE: Name changes will match the official name submitted to Registrar's Office.


    Changing my from address

    You cannot change your JSU e-mail address - all e-mail sent through GEM will have your e-mail address associated with it.

    However, you can change the from field on your messages to a more personalized choice.
    Example: From: "jsuxxxxx@jsu.edu" can now read From: "Joe Smith".

    1. From the menu, click "preferences".
    2. Under "Edit your full name", type your name as you want it to appear on your e-mail.
    3. Click "Save Preferences" to save.

    Getting answers

    Please fill out the Request for Assistance with GEM Password form if you are having difficulty logging in.


     

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