Student Email FAQ

The Student Help Desk (SHeD) and lab assistants can assist you in setting up a free email account with services such as Hotmail, Yahoo and Google.

Why do I need an Email Address?

• All new students are required to submit an e-mail address when applying to the college by using the online admissions process. Students who have already been admitted are encouraged to enter an e-mail address via their ExpressLane account.
• Students taking online web courses may also be required to have a valid email address to participate in the course.

How do I create a Free Email Address?

• Select a free email provider and fill out their online application form.  If you need assistance with this process, feel free to contact the SHeD.

Which Email should I get?

• We do not suggest or prefer any of the providers listed below. They all provide web-based email services available via any computer that has Internet access, and most provide other features as well.
  • mail.yahoo.com (Yahoo)
  • www.hotmail.com (Microsoft)
  • www.gmail.com (Google)
  • www.netscape.com (AOL)
  • www.mail.com
• Read all usage policy agreements carefully and make sure you understand the "rules" that the providers have setup. Most free email accounts are sponsored by advertisements, this is how they are funded and kept free.  After you get through the initial sign up process, many of them will take you into several pages of advertisement solicitations.  The best way to keep your email clean and NOT receive many junk mails every day is to un-check ALL boxes on each page of the ad solicitations.

How do I update my Email Address in myLane?

• Once you have created an email account, you can enter your address into the online admissions process when requested.  If you are already an LCC student, you can enter your address into myLane by logging in, selecting the Personal Information Menu, then selecting View/Update E-mail Address(es) .  If you need assistance, you can select the Help menu near the top right corner of any myLane page.

• Why Won't It Accept My User Name?  One of the most common problems with user names in any email, is that unless you have a very uncommon name, it is hard to come up with an original user name.  Try mixing up some numbers and some letters from your name, put the numbers in front or back, or both (special characters like * $ # are not a good idea).  Just be sure you use something you can remember!

• Can The SHeD Help If I Forget My User Name Or Password?  No, unfortunately the SHeD has no way to know your user name or your password.  Most email programs do have a help section or a link that will help you remember your password if you forget it.  This is where the security questions come in.  When you are filling in your email registration form, it should ask you for a security question.  This is a way to verify that you are who you say you are, in case you forget your password.  For this reason, it is good to use something easy to remember, such as mother's maiden name or pet's name, etc.

• Are my User Name and Passwords Case Sensitive?  This really depends on the email program, they are all just a bit different on this one.  Some don't require the user name to be case sensitive, however ALL require the password to be case sensitive. 

• Is There Anything Else I Should Know?  Some of the free email providers will have limits on how many hours you are able to be online.  There may also be smaller limits on the size of files you can send or how many times per month you can get online, so you should also read through the agreement to make sure you know what you are signing up for.

How do you contact the SHeD for assistance?

• Web: 2011sitearchive.lanecc.edu/icl/shed.htm
• Phone: (541) 463-3333 (ext. 3333 on-campus)
• Email: SHeD@lanecc.edu
• Hours: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.