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06/01/2005: BOL Email System Enhancements FAQ

Email Aliases

Username Changes

Email Aliases

  • What is an email alias and why would I want to use it?

    An email alias is an alternate email address that forwards mail to your email account without you having to provide your account name. Your username can be "hidden" by an email alias. Suppose your name is Janet Josephine Bruin and your BOL username is jjb. You could set up an email alias that allows you to use janet.j.bruin@ucla.edu as your email address. The email alias could then be used in professional communications as it is a better identifier than jjb@ucla.edu.

  • Who is eligible to create an email alias?

    All regular BOL account holders may create an alias. Users with special temporary accounts (postdocs, visiting scholars, concurrently enrolled extension students, etc.) are not eligible to set up an email alias.

  • What are the restrictions on the choice of my email alias?

    Your email alias must start with a letter and end with a letter or number. It must contain between 3 and 40 characters and must contain a period (.). Email aliases are not case sensitive. It is preferable that your email alias be used as your primary email address so that your username is not widely known.

  • Do I need to have at least one period (.) in my email alias?

    Yes, this is how an email alias is differentiated from a username.

  • How do I create an email alias?

    The only way to create an email alias is via the application on the BOL website. The application will be available on June 27th, 2005 at 9:01am. Please visit https://www.bol.ucla.edu/cgi-ssl/accounts/createalias to create an email alias. If you have questions about the process, you can contact the BOL Help Desk via phone or email.

  • Can I use my email alias to login to sites that require a BOL username?

    No. The email alias is strictly for email purposes. You must use your username for anything that requires authentication, such as webmail, dialup, proxy server, etc.

  • How do I find out if the name I want is available?

    When you setup and email alias or change your username, if the name you want is taken, you'll be notified when you try and choose it. There is no means of "checking" to see if something is available before attempting to change it, so choose carefully.

  • How do I associate the email alias with my @ucla.edu email address?

    You can select an email alias using the email alias application and when submitted, it will automatically be associated with your username.

  • How do I make my email alias the address that appears to recipients when I use webmail?

    Unfortunately at this time, this is not possible. However, we are working on including such a feature in a future webmail upgrade.

  • Can I change the alias association 2 years down the road?

    No. Usernames and email aliases are permanent and cannot be changed.

  • I can't decide on a new username. Can I change my username once it's been created?

    No. Usernames and email aliases are permanent and cannot be changed. You do not have to change your username immediately, or at all. You have until 5/31/06 to change your username if you would like to change it.

  • Do I have to set up an email alias now?

    No. You can set up an email alias immediately after the application becomes available or anytime in the future. It doesn't matter when you do so. In fact, you don't need to set up and email alias at all if you prefer not to. The email alias is just another feature available to you, much like the Challenge/Response or email forwarding filters.

Username Changes

  • Who is eligible to change their username?

    All BOL account holders may change their username to one that takes advantage of the new 15-character limit. We suggest that those users happy with their current username retain it and use an email alias instead if they wish their email account to be more easily associated with their name.

  • I like my current username. Do I have to change it to continue using BOL?

    No. All current usernames are still valid and will remain so if they are not changed. You may still set up an email alias even if you don't change your username.

  • What restrictions do I have on my choice of usernames?

    New usernames must be between 2 and 15 characters in length and must contain only letters and numbers. Usernames must begin with a letter.

  • What happens to my old username if I decide to change it? Can someone else use it?

    The old username is permanently removed from the pool of available usernames and can never be assigned again. No one can use your old username.

  • If I change my username, will email sent to my old account be forwarded to my new one?

    You will be responsible for notifying others about your new username. Mail will be forwarded from your old username to your new username for three (3) months. If you are planning on changing your username, we suggest that you first set up your email alias and give all of your contacts several months to get used to using it. Then you can change your username at a later date if needed and not have your mail services negatively affected.

  • How do I change my username?

    The only way to change your username is via the BOL website. Please visit https://www.bol.ucla.edu/cgi-ssl/accounts/changeusername to change your username. If you have questions about the process, you can contact the BOL Help Desk via phone or email.

  • What do I need to change in my webmail settings if I change my username?

    If you change your username, no changes will need to be made in webmail. You will just need to use your new username to sign in.

  • What about my standalone email client (Outlook Express, Eudora, Mac Mail, etc.)?

    If you change your username, you will need to update the settings in your email client. Please visit http://www.bol.ucla.edu/help/alias for instructions for all supported email clients.

  • Can I set a reply-to address in my email that will allow me to send out email with my alias as a "Reply-To:"?

    Yes. If you set up an email alias that you'd prefer to use for your primary email address, you can set up your email client to use it as your "Reply-To:" address.

  • When can I change my username?

    The application will be available on and after Monday, June 27th at 9:01am. Any changes made after that time are immediate and permanent.

  • Are there any characters that cannot be used in creating a new username?

    Any and all letters and numbers may be used in a username.

  • I can't decide on a new username. Can I change my username once it's been created?

    No. Usernames are permanent and cannot be changed. You do not have to change your username immediately or at all. You have until 5/31/06 to change your username if you would like to change it.

  • Do I have to change my username right now? Can I change it during the fall quarter?

    You do not have to change your username ever if you are not inclined to do so. The period in which changes are allowed expires on 5/31/06. If you do want to change your username, you'll need to do so before that date.

If you have any questions please contact the BOL Help Desk at (310)267-4357, option 1, or at consult@ucla.edu.