CUMC IT Exchange and Outlook

CUMC IT began offering Exchange accounts in 2008 in response to demand for a familiar software program that supported more seamless communication and collaboration across departments.

Please read on for general information about Exchange and Outlook, or select a link from the left for specific details on programs and accounts. If you would like to set up your basic Columbia (non-Exchange) email account with Outlook Professional, please click here for instructions.

• Outlook is the software program or client that is installed on individual computers to use email, calendaring, contacts, tasks and more.
• Exchange is a type of server that allows accounts existing on it to easily share and manage calendars, resources, and contacts in a secure manner that meets safety compliance standards. It also provides strong support and compatibility with mobile devices including BlackBerries, iPhones, tablets etc.

Are there other shared calendar options at CUMC?
There are not other shared calendar programs that are supported by CUMC IT. Oracle Calendar was decommissioned on March 15th, 2010; please click here for FAQs about Oracle and Exchange.

Can I have an Exchange account for calendaring only?
Unfortunately, no. When an Exchange account is created, the account automatically appears in the list of CUMC Exchange contacts, the Global Address List. If others using CUMC IT Exchange email search for your name within this list and send a message, it will be sent to your Exchange email address only and you may miss important messages.

This is also true for meeting requests sent via email; if they are not sent to your Exchange address, they will not appear in your Outlook calendar automatically. The Exchange calendar and email are closely integrated, and email messages about calendaring must be received and processed on the centralized Exchange server to have the information automatically put onto a calendar.

What about my Cyrus (@columbia.edu) email address?
Anyone receiving an Exchange account should set up email forwarding from Cyrus to their Exchange email address; step by step instructions can be found here. This allows you to receive all of your work and/or academic-related emails at one address. Unfortunately it is not possible set up automatic forwarding from your Exchange email account into Cyrus or any other account.

Won't it confuse people if they notice that I have two email addresses?
The vast majority of CUMC IT Exchange customers have not had any problem with this. When using the Exchange Global Address List it is typically only your name that is shown; someone would have to select advanced properties for the contact to see the full email address.
Most other email programs such as Apple Mail will also display your name only rather than the full email address, regardless of whether it is going to/from your Exchange (@mail.cumc.columbia.edu) or Columbia Cyrus (@columbia.edu) email address.

What are any advantages to using Exchange for email vs my normal Columbia account?
Exchange offers the same features as your Columbia account and more:

• A fully up to date list of Columbia and NYPH contacts
• The ability to recall messages sent to other Exchange users who have not yet opened it
• The ability to recover permanently deleted messages
• Delegate access and sharing for all or specific mail folders on your account as well as your calendar(s)
• A robust web-based version allowing you to check email, your calendar and more from any computer connected to the Internet
• The ability to send attachments of up to 10MB in size

Is there a charge for Exchange accounts?
Yes, in order to support the costs of maintaining the Exchange server and ensure adequate space for everyone using it, there is a fee of $10 per month ($120 per year) for an Exchange account.

Can students request an Exchange account?
If a CUMC student is sponsored by a department, the department can request an account for them.