NetIDs
A "NetID" is the core computing account assigned to each faculty member, staff member
and student at Towson University. It consists of a username, email address, a password
and provides access to TU’s computing services, including email, online file storage, Blackboard access, web publishing, chat, video
conferencing, and wireless access services.
Who can have a NetID?
These individuals can have a NetID, each with various services:
- students
- faculty
- staff
- retirees
- faculty emeritus
- server administrators
- sponsored guests of the university
Learn more about requesting NetIDs and see links to TechHelp Knowledge Base articles
on the NetID Management webpage.
Activating a NetID
New to TU?
A one-time NetID activation is required
All NetID holders should follow TU’s Guidelines for Responsible Computing. If you need help submit a TechHelp service request or contact the OTS Technology Support Desk.
Students
Your NetID is automatically created if you are an admitted student or an English Language Center student, but you'll need
to activate it.
Faculty and Staff
Your NetID is automatically created upon hiring, but you'll need to activate it. When your faculty/staff NetID is created:
- OTS will automatically notify you if your personal email address is on file.
- Your supervisor will also be notified, if one can be identified.
- You'll be able to set up TU’s required multi-factor authentication (Duo) on your devices.
Sponsored Guests & other types of NetIDs
Request and manage a sponsored guest NetID for generally off-site or temporary vendors, contractors and other TU visitors through NetID tools. When the guest NetID is created, OTS will notify the sponsor of the NetID, who can
inform the guest NetID holder. Learn more.
There are "non-employee" staff with a OneCard who have an extended presence on campus (e.g., visiting faculty/scholars,
onsite research collaborators, Aramark) who are eligible for a NetID. A supervisor
or other faculty/staff sponsor can request it after obtaining a TUID. Learn more.
Student employees might need additional access to services to perform their job. They don't need a
separate NetID for this. Supervisors and permissions group sponsors can update access
using the Sponsored Group tool or see how to request student employee access to file shares. If you need assistance or have questions, please submit a TechHelp service request. Learn more.
Managing a NetID
Once activated, you can reset a forgotten password and update your security info using
the NetID Management tools.
NetIDs after leaving the university
- Students: you'll retain your NetID for a period of time after ending enrollment or
after graduation and will be notified when your NetID is going to be deactivated.
Learn more (login with TU credentials to view).
- Faculty/staff: when employment ends, your NetID will automatically be disabled in
and later purged from the system.
- Retirees and faculty emeritus: you can continue to use your NetID after leaving the
university, with a subset of services.
- Guests: for some sponsored faculty/staff NetIDs, the sponsors will automatically receive
an email prior to the NetID being disabled and will have the opportunity to extend
the expiration date up to one year.
- Returning to TU? Students and faculty/staff will be given the same NetID and email
address.
Email
TU students, faculty and staff use Microsoft Outlook email accounts. Once you have activated your NetID, email is accessible through outlook.towson.edu or on a TU desktop (faculty/staff). See all the options for accessing email and learn more about using Outlook.
Email FAQs
Are there resources for using TU's email?
Yes! See self-help articles for getting started with and using Outlook. Since Outlook is an app within your TU
Microsoft 365 account (along with Word, Excel etc.), you can also see other M365 resources.
Why should I use a TU account versus a personal account?
If you are using a non-Towson University email account, you could be missing assignments,
time-sensitive financial aid information or other important campus correspondence.
To make sure you're getting TU emails, set up auto-forwarding to your TU Outlook account.
How should I handle using email accounts if ending enrollment or separating from the
university?
If you stop enrolling in courses or end employment at TU, you should let people know
to stop sending email to your TU address, and send to a different or personal email
address. See info specific to students leaving the university.