University of Saskatchewan Announces Termination of Alumni Email Services
The University of Saskatchewan has made a significant announcement that will impact thousands of its graduates. Effective February 15, 2026, the institution will permanently shut down all alumni email accounts, marking the end of a longstanding service that allowed former students to maintain their university email addresses indefinitely.
Primary Reasons Behind the Decision
University officials have identified two major factors driving this decision. First, rising operational costs have made the alumni email program financially unsustainable. Recent changes in licensing models have shifted to a fee-per-user structure, creating substantial expenses for the university with more than 80,000 U of S email accounts active annually.
Second, and perhaps more critically, increasing cybersecurity threats have prompted the university to reconsider its digital services. The U of S administration noted that cybersecurity risks and phishing attacks have been escalating each year, with unused or poorly monitored accounts presenting particularly high vulnerability points.
Immediate Action Required for Alumni
The university has issued clear instructions for affected alumni:
- Data retrieval before February 15: All alumni must download or forward important information including emails, photos, contacts, and files to personal email addresses
- Account updates: Contact information with the university must be updated to continue receiving communications from the institution
- Service modifications: Any online accounts, subscriptions, or services linked to U of S email addresses must be updated with alternative email information
After the February 15 deadline, alumni will lose all access to their accounts, and the university will permanently delete all stored information.
Changing Digital Landscape and Usage Patterns
The university's announcement highlighted how email usage has evolved dramatically over the past 35 years. With most alumni now preferring free email services like Gmail, Yahoo, and Apple Mail, usage of university-provided alumni accounts has steadily declined. This trend persists despite the university graduating approximately 5,000 students each year.
Broader Context and Industry Trends
The University of Saskatchewan's decision aligns with similar moves by educational institutions across North America. University officials emphasized that this change reflects industry best practices and represents a strategic shift toward more secure, cost-effective, and modern digital engagement methods.
The institution conducted what it described as a "careful review" before making this determination, stating that it continually works to enhance security protocols, manage operational costs effectively, and ensure digital services adapt to an ever-changing technological environment.
This transition represents a significant change in how the University of Saskatchewan maintains connections with its extensive alumni network, moving away from traditional email services toward what the institution describes as more sustainable digital engagement practices for the future.
