Welcome to Indian River State College (IRSC)! As a new or returning student, accessing your college email, RiverMail, is a crucial first step. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about RiverMail and how to access it via My Pioneer Portal, your central hub for all things IRSC.
Understanding RiverMail and Office 365 Integration
RiverMail is IRSC’s official student email system, powered by Microsoft Office 365. This means you’re not just getting an email account; you’re gaining access to a suite of powerful online productivity tools, including:
- Microsoft Word: For writing documents and assignments.
- Microsoft Excel: For spreadsheets and data analysis.
- Microsoft PowerPoint: For creating presentations.
- OneDrive: For cloud storage and file sharing.
Think of RiverMail as your key to unlocking a range of resources designed to support your academic journey at IRSC, all conveniently accessible through My Pioneer Portal. And yes, this RiverMail account, provided free by Microsoft, can also be used for your personal emails alongside your academic communications.
Setting Up and Accessing Your RiverMail via My Pioneer Portal
When Will Your RiverMail Account Be Ready?
Once you’ve completed your application to IRSC, whether you’re a credit, non-credit, or adult education student, it takes approximately 48 hours for your RiverMail email address to be generated and ready for activation.
Step-by-Step Guide to Accessing RiverMail Through My Pioneer Portal
Accessing your RiverMail is straightforward through My Pioneer Portal. Here’s how:
- Navigate to My Pioneer Portal: Open your web browser and go to https://go.irsc.edu. This is your gateway to My Pioneer Portal.
- Log in to My Pioneer Portal: Use your IRSC credentials to log in. If you’re a first-time user, you might find the short introductory video on My Pioneer Portal helpful (https://cnt.irsc.edu/workday/mypioneerportal/).
- Find the Office 365/RiverMail Icon: Once logged into My Pioneer Portal, look for the Office 365 or RiverMail icon. Click on this icon.
- Access Your RiverMail Inbox: Clicking the icon will directly take you to your RiverMail inbox. No separate password is required after you’re logged into My Pioneer Portal to access your email.
My Pioneer Portal simplifies the process, making it easy to check your RiverMail and access other essential IRSC services.
Who Gets a RiverMail Account?
Every student officially enrolled at IRSC – including credit, non-credit, and adult education students – is assigned a RiverMail email address. This ensures all students have access to official college communications.
Managing Your RiverMail Account and Settings
Personal Use of Your RiverMail Account
Yes, you can use your RiverMail account for personal emails. However, remember to adhere to the Indian River State College Student Standards of Conduct and District Board of Trustees Policy 6Hx11-9.12 when using your RiverMail account, even for personal communication. Responsible usage is key.
Changing Your RiverMail Email Address
Generally, your assigned RiverMail email address cannot be changed. The only exception is if you legally change your name. In such cases, you’ll need to contact IRSC Enrollment and Student Services or Admissions at any IRSC campus to update your name in the system. A new RiverMail account will then be created for you. Remember to save any important emails from your old account within 30 days, as it will be deleted.
Email Forwarding Restrictions for Security
For security reasons and to protect sensitive data, automatically forwarding your RiverMail emails to personal email addresses outside of IRSC is prohibited. This measure safeguards the confidentiality of college communications and student information.
- Automatic Forwarding Blocked: As of March 18, 2024, setting up automatic forwarding to external domains is blocked.
- Manual Forwarding Allowed: You can still manually forward emails using the “Forward” option in the Outlook mail client if needed.
Using RiverMail directly through My Pioneer Portal ensures you receive all important communications from IRSC without any delivery issues.
What Happens if Automatic Forwarding Was Previously Set Up?
If you had automatic forwarding set up before the block, you will receive a Non-Delivery Report (NDR) error message in your RiverMail inbox each time the automatic forwarding rule attempts to process. The original message will also fail to be delivered externally. It’s crucial to disable any automatic forwarding rules and use your RiverMail account directly through My Pioneer Portal to avoid missing important emails.
Continued Access After Graduation
Yes, your RiverMail account remains active even after you graduate and become an IRSC alum. This is a valuable benefit, allowing you to stay connected and retain access to your Office 365 suite.
Password Management for My Pioneer Portal and RiverMail
You access RiverMail through My Pioneer Portal, and your My Pioneer Portal password is the key to your RiverMail. If you need password assistance for My Pioneer Portal, a helpful video is available here: https://cnt.irsc.edu/workday/mypioneerportal/. Remember, there is no separate password for RiverMail once you are logged into My Pioneer Portal.
RiverMail and Course Communications
Emailing Homework and Instructor Communication
Whether using RiverMail for submitting homework depends on your instructor’s preferences. Some instructors may require email submissions, while others might prefer submissions through Canvas or other platforms. Always check with your instructor for their specific guidelines. If you are using Canvas, continue to use Canvas for course-related communications as instructed by your professors.
Student Privacy and the Global Address List
IRSC prioritizes student privacy. While there is a global address book where students can look up other student email addresses, you can opt out of being listed in this Global Address List. To remove your name, send an email request to [email protected] requesting removal from the Global Address List.
Browser and Device Compatibility
No, you are not required to use a Windows PC or Microsoft Internet Explorer to access RiverMail or Office 365. All web-based services included with your Microsoft Online Productivity Suite are accessible from various operating systems (Windows, Mac, Linux) and browsers (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, Chrome, and others). Enjoy flexibility in how you access My Pioneer Portal and RiverMail.
Official College Communications via RiverMail
IRSC uses RiverMail as the official channel for electronic communication with students. Expect to receive important information, official notices, and student updates in your RiverMail inbox. Your professors may also use RiverMail for course-related communication. Regularly checking your RiverMail through My Pioneer Portal is essential to stay informed and up-to-date with everything happening at IRSC.
By utilizing My Pioneer Portal and RiverMail effectively, you’ll have a seamless and connected experience throughout your time at Indian River State College.
