Access to all of Relay’s technology resources, such as Canvas and Microsoft Office 365, is secured through a multi-factor login and password system, Relay’s MyApps. Relay’s MyApps is hosted on Azure, a cloud-based identity provider and single sign-on service. 

When enrolled, each student is assigned a unique username and is given instructions to activate their accounts and access the system. Students set up their passwords following instructions sent to the email address used in the admissions process and are required to provide a secondary form of identification, which can be a phone call, text message, or mobile app. 

After activation, the same login credentials are then used to access all online platforms (with the exception of the application MyCheckLists—the application portal—that uses the newly issued student email and the original applicant password). When a student leaves Relay, such as taking a leave of absence or withdrawing, access to all applications is terminated, except for email, Minerva or Nelnet.

All Canvas-related support is handled by Canvas support staff and Relay’s Technology team as needed. 

Communications via Email

Once students receive and activate their Relay-issued email address, Relay will use ONLY Relay-issued email addresses to communicate with students. This is the official channel for all Relay communications. Relay will continue to use this channel to communicate with students after they exit Relay or while on leave. Students are responsible for checking their Relay-issued email address regularly. Failure to regularly check and read emails sent to your Relay-issued email address may lead to missed deadlines, updates, or other essential information, which could negatively impact your academic progress, standing, and experience at Relay. Unopened emails will not be considered as a reason for appeals or changes to actions taken. 

Students who prefer to use a different email address may forward emails from their Relay-issued email address to their preferred email address. Instructions on forwarding emails can be found in Relay Email Account Troubleshooting and FAQs.

Relay staff will not send job offers, commercial emails promoting events, programs, or services to students and staff unless they are subscribed to them and provide an option to opt out. Transactional emails are allowed to provide essential information related to specific actions, like enrollment confirmations, grade notifications, etc. 

Students should always check the sender’s email address carefully and avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown or unexpected sources and never share personal or financial information. Relay will never offer a student a job or ask for personal information such as credit card numbers or bank account details, because those requests are almost always signs of a scam. If a student ever receives a message like that, the student should ignore it and immediately contact [email protected] for help.

Transactional emails are essential messages regarding student status, such as tuition invoices, security alerts, and registration confirmations, which the student must receive to remain enrolled, as well as other emails related to the student’s educational relationship with Relay. In contrast, a commercial email is any electronic mail message the primary purpose of which is the commercial advertisement or promotion of a commercial product or service (including content on an internet website operated for a commercial purpose.) This would include emails that promote for-profit or revenue-generating activities. While you can opt out to stop receiving commercial promotions at any time, you cannot unsubscribe from transactional updates. This policy ensures you never miss critical institutional information while still giving you control over the marketing content in your inbox.