⚠️ Service Interruption: Student email will be temporarily unavailable from December 14-16, 2024 while we complete the migration to Microsoft Outlook. Please plan accordingly and back up important data before this date.
Río Hondo College is migrating all student email accounts from Gmail to Microsoft Outlook. This transition is part of our commitment to providing you with consolidated services, enhanced security features, and better integration with campus systems.
During the migration period from December 14-16, we will automatically transfer your emails, Google Drive contents, primary calendar, and contacts to the new Outlook platform. While we handle the technical details behind the scenes, there will be a brief service interruption during these two to three days.
Why We're Making This Change
The migration to Microsoft Outlook brings several important benefits to our student community:
- Enhanced Security: Advanced threat protection and improved security posture to keep your data safe
- Consolidated Services: Seamless integration with campus Microsoft services you already use
- Better Features: Access to the full Microsoft 365 suite of productivity tools
- Improved Support: Streamlined technical support and troubleshooting processes
What You Need to Do
Back Up Your Data (Recommended)
While we will migrate your data automatically, we strongly recommend creating a personal backup using Google Takeout before December 14 as a precaution. Here's how:
- Visit takeout.google.com and sign in with your student email account
- Choose the data you want to download (email, Drive files, Calendar, etc.)
- Select your preferred file type and delivery method (typically a .zip file)
- Click "Create export" and wait for Google to prepare your data—you'll receive a download link via email
Important Notes About the Migration
Calendars: Only your primary Google Calendar will continue to function normally. Secondary or shared calendars may appear but could become "orphaned," meaning they may no longer remain connected to the original owner or update correctly. Consider recreating important secondary calendars in Outlook after the migration.
Email Rules and Forwarding: Any mailbox rules you have set up in Gmail—including forwarding to a personal email—will migrate but will be turned off for security reasons. If you rely on forwarding or other rules, you will need to set them up again in Outlook once the migration is complete.
After the Migration
Starting December 17, you will access your student email through Microsoft Outlook. Detailed instructions and login information will be sent to your personal email address on file and posted on the college website.
Your Initial Login Credentials
When you first sign in to Outlook, you will use a temporary default password based on your birthdate and name. The password format is:
Default Password Format: RHC + 2-digit month + 2-digit day + 2-digit year + first initial + last initial (lowercase)
Example: If John Doe was born on August 23, 1986, the default password would be: RHC082386jd
Important: You will be prompted to change this password immediately upon your first login for security purposes. Choose a strong password that you haven't used elsewhere.
You'll also need to reconfigure any email forwarding rules or filters you were using in Gmail, as these will be disabled during the migration for security purposes. Don't worry—we'll provide clear instructions on how to set these up in Outlook.
Timeline at a Glance
- Now - December 13: Back up your data and review any email rules or forwarding settings
- December 14-16: Email unavailable during migration (all data transferred automatically)
- December 17 onward: Access your email through Microsoft Outlook with new login instructions