Introduction

At Rider University, there is an increasing need for fast and efficient communication with currently enrolled students in order to conduct official business at the University. Students tend to communicate extensively through electronic mail. Each student is issued a unique university ID number (BroncID) and an email account for use throughout the time the student is registered for classes at the University. Accordingly, email is an available mechanism for formal communication by the University employees with students. If a student chooses to forward his/her mail to another email address (AOL, Hotmail, etc.), the student’s Rider University assigned email address remains the official destination for official university correspondence.

The following policy is consistent with the Rights and Responsibilities of Users of the Rider University Computer Network Policy. It does not make email the only official method of communication.

Policy

Email shall be considered an appropriate mechanism for official communication by Rider University students unless otherwise prohibited by law. The University reserves the right to send official communications to students by email with the full expectation that students will receive email and read these emails in a timely fashion.

Assignment of Student Email Address

Official university email accounts are available for all registered students. The domain name for an official university email account is “rider.edu”. Official university communications will be sent to students’ official university email addresses.

Students are expected to check their email on a frequent and consistent basis in order to stay current with university-related communications. Students must insure that there is sufficient space in their accounts to allow for email to be delivered. Students have the responsibility to recognize that certain communications may be time-critical.

Forwarding of Email

Students who choose to have their email forwarded to a private (unofficial) email address outside the official university network address, do so at their own risk. The University is not responsible for any difficulties that may occur in the proper or timely transmission or access of email forwarded to any unofficial email address, and any such problems will not absolve students of their responsibility to know and comply with the content of official communications sent to students’ official Rider University email addresses.

Responding to an Unofficial Email Address

University employees must be careful when responding in detail to a query sent from an unofficial email address since there is no assurance that the sender is, in fact, the student. A recommended step is to provide generic replies only, directing students to university tools that require authentication, such as Canvas, myRider, or other self service functions, or to require students to provide their university email address in order to receive a reply.

References

  • Indiana University
  • Purdue University
  • Indianapolis