Overview

A "Departmental account" is a computing account that can be used by multiple people OR a computing account which needs different access privileges than a personal UC Davis computing account.

Questions:

• How can I create a departmental account?
• Can students create or own a departmental account?
• Can we have multiple departmental accounts?
• Can a departmental account be owned by more than one person (in case one of them leaves)?
• What are the limitations on the name for a departmental account?
• Can I use a departmental account as my primary email address?

Answers:

How can I create a departmental account?

You can request a departmental computing account by using a service request.

Can students create or own a departmental account?

Students cannot request a departmental account. 
Students should not state they are a Dean of a College or other campus authority in order to by pass approvals to attempt to create a departmental account. 
Students who are staff for certain departments may have access to a departmental account based on employment and sponsorship by an IT Director. 

Can we have multiple departmental accounts?

Absolutely. If you simply wish to have a number of email addresses point to a common inbox and want that inbox separate from a user's personal inbox, you may wish to consider a single departmental account with a number of departmental MailIDs.

Can a departmental account be owned by more than one person (in case one of them leaves)?

Since the accounts are tied to personal records, only a single individual can own the account. If the individual leaves, you will need to transfer the account to keep it active.

What are the limitations on the name for the departmental account?

Departmental accounts have a MailID, which is the email address (the portion before @ucdavis.edu) and a LoginID which is the username used to log into Geckomail or an email client which checks the Inbox. The LoginID must be 2-14 characters unless an admin-loginID or call center log in ID and the MailID must be 32 characters or less.

Can I use a departmental account as my primary email address?

No. Personal use is not allowed, incidental or otherwise, unlike the personal email account that you create when you join the University. If you are the primary contact for a service, consider using a mailing list or departmental MailID.