In preparation for implementing Microsoft 365 university-wide, UBC will be migrating our enterprise email services from on-premise to the cloud platform Microsoft Exchange Online. UBC’s current on-premise enterprise email solution is approaching the end of its lifecycle and moving to a modern email system will also ensure that our email is secure, reliable, and integrated with other collaboration tools.
Exchange Online Migration
- Project Phase: Current
Benefits of Migrating to the Cloud
Advanced Security and Data Protection
Microsoft Exchange Online also incorporates advanced threat protection against various email threats, including malware, phishing attempts, and malicious links.
Increased Productivity and Streamlined Workflows
Unified platform for email, calendars, contacts, and tasks which enhances user experience and improves productivity. By integrating Microsoft Exchange Online with other Microsoft 365 applications such as SharePoint and OneDrive, users can engage in real-time collaborative work. This integration limits the typical errors that often arise when working across distinct email environments (i.e., the combination of on-premise and cloud-based systems).
Enhanced Service Features
Automatic Updates – access to latest features, improvements, and software and operating system updates.
Increased Mail Storage
Mail storage quota will increase from 8GB to 50GB for faculty & staff
New Mobile App
Outlook for Mobile, a new mobile app for iPhone and Android will be available for migrated users. The Outlook app is designed to bring together email, calendar, contacts, and other files, enabling users to do more from their mobile devices.
View a PDF of the new features available with M365 Exchange Online
Timeline
The email migration is scheduled to start in July 2024 and continue into 2025. Beginning with pilot groups, there will be a tailored approach, working with each department or unit individually to migrate their email service.
Email Migration Change Impact
When you migrate to Exchange Online, the cutover will take place overnight at 2:00am PST. You will need to shut down your Outlook email application at the end of your workday the day before. When you sign into Outlook after the migration, you will be on the new cloud-based email, Exchange Online.
Faculty and staff using Microsoft Outlook for PC and Outlook for Mac will not be required to reconfigure their email. All other UBC supported email Apps will need to be reconfigured. UBC Supported Apps include:
- PC: Outlook for Windows, Thunderbird
- Mac: Outlook for Mac, Mac Mail, Thunderbird
- Mobile Devices: Mail App (iOS), Gmail (Android Devices), Outlook for Mobile
- Web: Outlook Webmail
If you use your phone to connect to FASmail, after the migration you will need to reconfigure your email to connect to Exchange Online
Migration Checklists
Migration and User Guides
Connect your phone to FASmail on M365
If you access your email from a mobile device, you need to delete the old email profile and add a new one using your firstname.lastname@ubc.ca and CWL password. This will not delete all your emails. Your emails will reappear when you add the new mailbox profile. Instructions on how to do this are below.
Desktop Applications
Looking for more information? Visit our dedicated FAQ page where you'll find detailed responses to the most frequently asked questions.
If you wish to report any email-related issues post-migration, please contact the IT Service Centre Helpdesk at www.it.ubc.ca/helpdesk.
Contact Us
If you have questions about the M365 Foundation Services project, please contact Diana Yoon, Senior Project Manager, at diana.yoon@ubc.ca or Mark Belsito, M365 Senior Product Manager, at mark.belsito@ubc.ca.
Page last updated on April 14, 2025