A New Messaging System
Moving to Exchange represents a new way of thinking about e-mail.  While e-mail is the cornerstone of the Exchange system, it is only part of the total system.  Exchange brings e-mail, Calendaring, Tasks, Contacts, and Public Folders together in a combined system.  This feature allows everyone to share those assets with individuals or groups across campus. 

As happy as we are with this new messaging system, there are changes and issues that can affect some users.  We have done our best to compile a list of these changes. If you experience problems that are not referenced on this page please contact the ITS Help Desk for assistance.

Known Issues

Incorrect Dates on E-mail Messages:
A few users have reported that during the upgrade process their e-mail messages were set to the current time and did not reflect the true date that the message was sent or received. If you experience this problem please contact the Help Desk so we can assist you in resetting the dates.

Message Flags do not Migrate:
The new Exchange system will not move any client specific flags. Only basic flags including Read and Unread will carry over to the new system. Outlook 2007 will offer a new system for sorting your e-mail called Categories.

How do I create e-mail groups so that they show in the Global Address List (GAL)?:
Please contact the Help Desk if you want an e-mail list created for the GAL. 

Major Differences

VandalMail:
Exchange will not use the VandalMail web interface.  The new web based client is called Outlook Web Access (OWA) and is available at http://mail.uidaho.edu.

Quotas:
The default mailbox size will be set at 250MB. As you use up your space, your quota can be increased to as much as 1GB at no charge by logging into the support site.  If you require more space than 1GB you will need to provide a budget number before increasing your quota.

Public Folders:
Public folders are an easy and effective way to collect, organize, and share information with other people in your workgroup or organization. You can use public folders to share files or post information on an electronic bulletin board. You can also use them to store items, such as calendars and contacts, which are shared by two or more people.  Public Folders are available to departments or groups by filling out the Public Folders form.  Click here to go to the Public Folders request form.

Calendaring:
OnTime will remain the official calendaring system of the University of Idaho until all users have been upgraded to Exchange. Users are encouraged to create their personal calendar in Outlook, to start learning the new interface.

Outlook does not allow users to view other users calendars by default; however, if you create an Appointment and add another user as an Attendee you will be able to see their availability.

You can share your calendar with another so that they can see it in the Outlook client.  Sharing will show full meeting and appointment details with the other user. Visit the ITS Exchange Support Website for more information on sharing your calendar with other users.

Resource Calendars:
Resource Calendars can be setup for rooms, projectors, or any other item that can be checked out or reserved. Microsoft Exchange allows for users to add Resources to meetings. If the Resource is available, it will reserve it for the person planning the meeting. A moderated Resource Calendar will require the owner to approve all calendar requests before it is fully scheduled.  Click here to go to the Resource Calendar request form.

Global Address List (GAL):
Microsoft Exchange allows for a Global Address List (GAL) that contains all of the current University of Idaho Exchange users. The GAL will contain only work related information, much like the current UI Directory.  This will only be accessible by UI Employees.  Faculty and Staff will be added to the GAL as they are upgraded.  ITS will provide tools for all Exchange users to edit their GAL entry soon.  If you need information in the GAL edited now please contact the Help Desk.

Will I be able to use POP or IMAP:
POP and IMAP connectivity will still be available.  If you plan to use your same e-mail client and either POP or IMAP you will only need to change the server addresses to mail.uidaho.edu.  Note: If you intend to use POP OR IMAP, you will not be able to take advantage of the features introduced through Microsoft Exchange and Outlook 2003/2007.

E-mail Recovery and deletion policies:
Through Microsoft Exchange, ITS now grants users the ability to be responsible for the recovery of deleted e-mail, tasks, and other items. When using Outlook 2003/2007 or Outlook Web Access (OWA) items are sent to the Deleted Items folder once the user deletes it. Items will reside in the Deleted Items folder for fourteen days. Once the items are fourteen days old they will be moved to the Dumpster. Dumpster is a new feature in Microsoft Exchange which allows users an additional fourteen days to recover items they've deleted. Click here for more information on recovering your Deleted Items in Outlook and Outlook Web Access (OWA). If you are not using Outlook 2003/2007 or Outlook Web Access you will need to contact the Help Desk for recovery options. Once items have been deleted from the dumpster they are unrecoverable.