Account Closure Policies and Procedures FAQ for Faculty


Faculty and other academic appointment holders leaving the University may have questions about the account closures process as it relates specifically to you. This article contains the most frequently asked questions about account closure for faculty and other academic appointees.

Please contact your dean for specific information regarding your eligibility. You may contact IT Services to address technical issues with services that are due to close such as email.

Tip: Account Closure information for students and staff are found here:

Account Closure Policies and Procedures FAQ for Students.

Account Closure Policies and Procedures FAQ for Staff.


Account Extensions and Closure Exemptions

I really need my account services. How can I get an extension or exemption from account closure?

Account Eligibility and Current Status Questions

I'm a lecturer who has a contract that is renewed quarterly. If I am not rehired next quarter but plan to return the following quarter, will I lose my account privileges?

I'm a lecturer who works two or three quarters a year. Will I stay active in the system and eligible for account services all year?

When I graduated, I took a position as an assistant to a faculty member. My work is being paid through a private grant rather than through the university. How can I maintain my account services?

I'm an academic. Do I get a grace period after my appointment ends?

I'm moving to emeritus status. Will I still keep my account privileges?

Account Closure Questions

May I maintain email forwarding once my account closes?

How should I remove my files before my account is closed?

I neglected to remove all my files before my account closed. Is there a way for me to get those files back?

I misunderstood the notice and have neglected to remove all my files before my account closed. Is there a way for me to get those files back?

My account was closed, now I've been rehired. Is there any way to retrieve my old files?

If I miss your notification of account closure, will you give me extra time to move my files?

May I opt to keep my wireless access active until the second closure (42 days after my first notification)?


Account Extensions and Closure Exemptions

I really need my account services. How can I get an extension or exemption from account closure?

Exemptions and extensions must come from the Office of the Provost. You may appeal closures by contacting your dean and the Chief Information Officer.

Note: Granting exemptions is extremely rare and the account closure process is automated. If you have received account closure notices, you should expect your account to close at the specified time and date unless you have heard otherwise, even if you have filed an appeal.

Account Eligibility and Current Status Questions

Contact your department with questions regarding your current status and service eligibility.

I'm a lecturer who has a contract that is renewed quarterly. If I am not rehired next quarter but plan to return the following quarter, will I lose my account privileges?

You will get a 30-day grace period after your appointment ends, followed by the 45-day schedule for the account closure. You may check with your department to see if bridging services via the Trusted Agent Program are appropriate for you. Once the account closure schedule begins, you will receive several notifications alerting you to the date of your account closure.

I'm a lecturer who works two or three quarters a year. Will I stay active in the system and eligible for account services all year?

Your contract provides the end date of your appointment. Your department should be able to provide this information to you. You will remain active in the system through the end of your appointment. Contact your department to see if you are eligible for bridging services via the Trusted Agent Program.

When I graduated, I took a position as an assistant to a faculty member. My work is being paid through a private grant rather than through the University. How can I maintain my account services?

Unless you are employed directly by the University, you are not eligible for regular account services. However, your department may request services for you through the Trusted Agent program.

I'm an academic. Do I get a grace period after my appointment ends?

Yes. The Office of the Provost automatically applies a 30-day grace period for all faculty and other academic appointees. Your account closure will begin once the grace period is over.

I'm moving to emeritus status. Will I still keep my account privileges?

Yes. You retain all of your central account privileges such as wireless, VPN, and proxy, which allows you to use the online journals and resources though the Library, but you are encouraged to forward your email to an outside service provider such as Gmail.

Account Closure Questions

Alert: All files still maintained in your UChicago account are immediately destroyed upon account closure and cannot be recovered.

May I maintain email forwarding once my account closes?

If you are a faculty member or other academic appointee and are leaving the University, you will not be able to maintain email forwarding once your account closes. Faculty who are becoming emeriti will maintain full account services.

How should I remove my files before my account is closed?

For guidance on how to save your files, see this article Prepare Your @uchicago Email Account for Transition or Closure.

I neglected to remove all my files before my account closed. Is there a way for me to get those files back?

No. Once your account closes, your account and all files will be permanently deleted.

I misunderstood the notice and have neglected to remove all my files before my account closed. Is there a way for me to get those files back?

No. Once your account has closed, your account and all files are destroyed. IT Services cannot retrieve them.

My account was closed, now I've been rehired. Is there any way to retrieve my old files?

No. After your account is closed, all files are destroyed. You may claim new account services, and will get the same CNetID that you had previously, but all files will be gone.

If I miss your notification of account closure, will you give me extra time to move my files?

No. If you missed the notifications of account closure and your account closes, all files are destroyed.

May I opt to keep my wireless access active until the second closure (42 days after my first notification)?

No. Wireless access closes for all accounts one week after receiving the first notice of account closures (Day 10 after dropping out of active status).