FAQ's   Student Email

Q. How will the system work?

A: The Microsoft Exchange email system, administered by the Governor's Office of Technology, is the same system used by KCTCS faculty and staff. It is fully functional, has large storage capacity, and includes access to a system-wide directory of KCTCS faculty, staff and students. The calendar function will allow coordination between faculty and students regarding office hours, advising sessions and consultations. Students will be able to communicate with peers grouped by program, class, activities, clubs and other categories. The universal email addresses will allow KCTCS and the colleges to expand and enhance the practice of sharing grades and other information with students. The KCTCS email account is available to students any time, anywhere via any computer equipped with a Web browser.

Q. Will student email give us access to more services?

A: Universal email is part of a package of Web-based services that will benefit KCTCS students. Other services featured in the Web-based student information system will include online registration and access to academic information.

Q. I already have an email address. Why do I need one from KCTCS?

A: We know that some students already have personal email accounts, and they wonder why they need another. Personal email accounts come and go, and many students don't have one at all. The KCTCS accounts will provide a consistent, reliable way to communicate across the System.

Q. How will I get my new email address?

A: When students register for classes, they will be given the address for a web site (https://webmail.kctcs.edu) at which they will identify themselves with a student ID number and last name and get their email identification and initial password. At the web site, students will be able to change their password.

Q: What does it mean when I receive the Mailbox Access Error "Access Denied"?

A: Access denied errors occur when the Exchange servers cannot successfully authenticate you to the mail servers. Use the New Users/Password Reset link from the https://webmail.kctcs.edu web page to discover your user account and set/reset your password. You will need to have your last name and student ID as recognized by KCTCS. If you do not know your student ID or believe it to be incorrect please contact your local registrars’ office.

Q: When setting up my account or password, I'm told "Your user could not be found", what should I do?

A: Verify that the last name is correct. If your name has a suffix such as “Jr.” or “Sr.” then you must use those in your last name as well. If you have any questions please contact your local registrars’ office.

Q: What if I lose my password or don't know what my user account is?

A:Use the New Users/Password Reset link from the https://webmail.kctcs.edu web page to discover your user account and set/reset your password. You will need to have your last name and student ID as recognized by KCTCS. If you do not know your student ID or believe it to be incorrect please contact your local registrars’ office.

Q: How do I perform a password change?

A: When changing the password the domain will always be “KCTCSACC”.

If you receive a “Logon failure: user account restriction” error message when changing passwords, check to make sure your passwords meets the complexity requirements for passwords listed below.

All passwords must meet complexity requirements which are as follows:

  • Must not contain all or part of the user's account name

  • Must be at least eight characters in length

  • Contain characters from three of the following four categories:

    • English uppercase characters (A through Z)

    • English lowercase characters (a through z)

    • Base 10 digits (0 through 9)

    • Symbolic characters (e.g., !, $, #, %)

  • Be significantly different from prior passwords

  • Must not contain your name or user name

  • Should not be a common word or name.

  • All passwords expire every 90 days

  • Cannot be one of the last five passwords used

  • Can only be changed once every 24 hours from the last change or reset