Undergraduate Lena Bradley posted “Converting from Webmail to Gmail” to help students set up a Gmail account and then forward PSU email to this account. The first two parts of this tutorial refer to Lena’s English 202C assignment. Part III has been added to protect student privacy (and instructor compliance with FERPA – Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) when replying to these email.
- Introduction Why switch to Gmail?
- Part I: Set up a Gmail Account Create a Gmail account
- Part II: Enable Forwarding from Webmail Forward PSU email to Gmail
- Part III: Reply to PSU email from Gmail Set Gmail “Reply To” address to be PSU
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- Part III Example: Set Gmail “Reply To” address to be PSU
Figure 1 (below) shows the “accounts and imports” settings that a student should edit in Gmail. Although not required, it is a good idea to click “make default” next to the PSU email account. Otherwise, the student will need to remember to change the “from address” to the PSU account for each email sent that relates to course work. Also, check the box “Reply to same address the message was sent to.” Replying to PSU email, for example, will automatically use the PSU account as the “reply to” address.
Figure 1: Gmail Accounts and Imports Window (click to enlarge)
Scenario: Student Sends Gmail to PSU Instructor
In Gmail, student clicks “Compose Mail.” If PSU account as been made default (Figure 1), email will already include PSU return address information. Otherwise, student will need to remember to click the dropdown box next to the compose email “From” window to select the PSU account.
Scenario: Instructor Replies to Student Email Sent From Gmail
Instructor should see student’s email “From” address as “xyz123@gmail.com; on behalf of; Student Name [xyz123@psu.edu].” When instructor clicks “reply” the email will maintain privacy by going to “Student Name [xyz123@psu.edu],” and NOT directly to Gmail. Part II settings (above) have Penn State forward the email to student’s Gmail account.
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