NetID Explained - Breaks in Affiliation
Description
The CSU System campuses all use the same NetID system, allowing users to move between campuses without changing their NetID. NetIDs are unique identifiers for individual users who are eligible to receive one based on an affiliation with one or more of the CSU System campuses (CSU Fort Collins, CSU Pueblo).
NetIDs remain associated with a specific user even when they have a break in affiliation. A few examples include:
- taking some time off school
- coming back from retirement for an hourly assignment
- previous employee enrolling in classes
- previous student getting hired at the University
Use this guide to set expectations for how breaks in affiliation will impact users' NetID status, and outline any steps users may need to take upon returning to the University.
Applicable to:
- Users who have established an affiliation with a CSU System Campus and will take a break between affiliations, assignments or enrollments.
Prerequisites
Explanations
How long could I take a break from the university and keep an active NetID?
Users' accounts fall into the expiration cycle (as outlined in NetID Lifecycle), when their affiliation ends. For example, an employee's last day of work or the census date after a student's most recent semester enrolled. During the expiration cycle, accounts remain eligible for login and retain access to associated M365 resources for a pre-defined grace period. At the end of that grace period accounts expire and the user loses the ability to log into CSU resources and access associated M365 resources.
Users whose only affiliation is as a student will receive a 1-year expiration cycle. That means, that a student can take up to one year before losing access to their email inbox or M365 resources (OneDrive, etc.).
Once expired, CSU NetIDs are retained in an 'expired' state indefinitely. That means that when a user returns to the University after their account has fully expired, they will be reassigned the same NetID (the exception to this is explained in the question below). However, once an account expires the user loses access to CSU resources and any data stored in their Outlook email inbox or OneDrive is tagged for deletion.
Important Takeaway: If you are a student and plan to take a break for longer than 1 year your account will expire and you will lose access to your email and OneDrive. Please plan accordingly and back up any information that you want to keep.
When would I need to have a new NetID set up when coming back?
Returning users who had an active affiliation with the CSU System on or after July 2022 will retain their existing NetID on return. Users who are re-establishing an affiliation with CSU System whose only previous affiliation concluded before July 2022 will be issued a new NetID in the format C123456789, where the nine digits following the C are the user's CSUID. More detail is available here: What is the format of a NetID
Even though the value of the NetID is retained (for example, C123456789), the account itself may need to be reactivated. If a user re-establishes an affiliation with the University more than 30 days after their account expires, a new mailbox and OneDrive will need to be established via NetID Activation.
What do I need to do when returning after a break in affiliation?
Upon returning from a break in affiliation, you will need to work with your HR representative or Admissions to ensure that your affiliation is accurately represented in HR and student systems, deeming you eligible to work or enroll in classes. Questions?
CSU Fort Collins
Student Applicants, Returning Students:
(970) 491-6909
Enrolled Students, Former Students:
(970) 491-4860
Faculty, Staff, Associates:
(970) 491-6947
CSU Pueblo
Student Applicants, Returning Students:
(719) 549-2100
Enrolled Students, Former Students:
(719) 549-2261
Faculty, Staff, Associates:
(719) 549-2441
If your NetID account had fully expired, it will need to be reactivated. You can go through the steps to activate your NetID.
If your NetID account remained in the expiration cycle, it will automatically cycle back to active. No further action is required from the user to activate the NetID.
How do I check my NetID account Life Cycle State?
If your NetID has been activated and has not expired, from the NetID website, select Menu > My Account > Show My Information and log in with your NetID. If you are unable to view this for yourself, your HR or Admissions representative can look for you.
Outcome
Description of what users can expect when they have a break in their affiliation with the CSU System.
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