Introducing SVSU Vmail

SVSU email accounts reside on a new web based email system (Zimbra), featured with messaging and collaboration applications; offering reliable, high-performance email messaging, address books, calendaring, task lists, chat, and web document authoring capabilities. The system provides SVSU users a free web based email account - accessible from any web browser, from anywhere you have access to the Internet; which means you no longer have to configure or remember the default mail server name or installing an email client. The new system also allows configuration to access other email systems, such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc...

All newly hired employees/faculty, including adjuncts and registered students, will have an account automatically created for them. New accounts will require users to "set" their password before having access to SVSU accounts. This can be done from: https://www.svsu.edu/changepassword/.

This routine will "synchronize" the Novell Network, VSpace, Cardinal Direct,  and Vmail systems to provide you with a unified login: one username and one password. Anyone wanting to use a campus networked computer will be required to login with their Novell account.

This document will help you get familiar with how to access your Vmail account via a web browser.Steps to accessing your Vmail account

  • Establish a connection to the Internet. 
    If connecting from off-campus, you have to establish a connection via some ISP (Internet Service Provider). SVSU has teamed up with some broadband service providers to provide discounted high-speed alternatives to dial-up: view them here. SVSU computer labs and student housing units enjoy high-speed direct connections to the Internet, as well as wireless hot spots throughout housing and various campus locations (find them here).
  • Launch your favorite Web Browser.  (SVSU recommends the use of Firefox)
  • Enter the following URL, or click on this link: vmail.svsu.edu (or go to www.svsu.edu and use the QuickLinks dropdown to access your email account)
  • Login to your Vmail account. Use your e-mail ID as the "username". If you don't know your password, you can change it: https://www.svsu.edu/changepassword/
  • Logout to end your session.

Change your Default Template (View)

Vmail allows you to choose which web client version you want to use each time you log in, either default Advanced, or Standard.

  • Default is the client type configured in the Preferences, General tab. It can be either Advanced or Standard.
  • Advanced Web Client offers the full set of Ajax based web collaboration features. The advanced web client works with the newer browsers and the faster internet connections. Internet Explorer will not work with this option (suggested use is Firefox).
  • Standard Web Client is a good option when internet connections are slow or users prefer HTML-based messaging for navigating within their mailbox. If you want to use Internet Explorer, use this option.

If your preferred client type is not the default, you can change it after you log in.1. Click the Preferences tab.2. Click the General tab and in the Login Options section select either Advanced or Standard.3. Click Save.The next time you log, your selection will be the default  

Lookup an email address

To look up email IDs of faculty and students, go to http://www.svsu.edu/lookup/ 

Forgot your password?

Change it here: https://www.svsu.edu/changepassword/

Additional Questions?

  • Click the Vmail Help icon for basic instruction.
  • Check out the Vmail FAQ page.
  • Faculty/Staff: need hands-on assistance? contact the ITD Lab (x7475), or visit their training page for online tutorials: http://www.svsu.edu/its/services-support/instructional/pages/zimbra.html
  • Students: ask a lab assistant to help you, or visit the Student Technology Center
  • For other questions/assistance: Contact the ITS Support Center at 989-964-4225.