Email Aliases Practices

This article covers the best practice guidelines for creating UNC email aliases.

 

Effective 2024, please follow these practices when creating new individual email aliases in any UNC Email systems.  These rules have been collaboratively developed between Central IT, Departmental IT, and IT Security to help protect and preserve the email and Onyen namespaces, support upcoming projects to automate Onyen and alias creation and provisioning for all new users, and reduce negative outcomes for faculty, staff, and students.  New mailboxes should fit these practices.


Onyen Email address and alias structure for individual email resources

UNC Email accounts are provisioned with the following email and alias addresses, as outlined in the current Onyen requirements in the Onyen FAQ:

  1. Default Email address = onyen@ad.unc.edu
  2. Default Email alias = onyen@unc.edu
  3. Default Email alias = onyen@email.unc.edu
  4. Preferred Name Email alias = ${first.Name}_${last.Name}${iterator}@unc.edu

#4 is based on the preferred name set by the user and must be a non-Onyen name.  People may be entitled to additional email aliases in other email subdomains based on role or departmental relationship that would match one of the above aliases, at that subdomain.  Please see the Onyen FAQ for current requirements and standards. These practices apply regardless of whether the unit uses a *.unc.edu domain name or an entirely different domain name.

 

Non-Onyen Email addresses and alias practices for shared email resources

UNC Provisions Non-Onyen email aliases using the following practices:

  1. Do not use names that match existing Onyens OR Onyens that could be created in the future. 
  2. Anonymous sender aliases do not use names that match existing or future Onyen addresses.
  3. Aliases for M365 or other large mail platforms are provisioned from the office.unc.edu subdomain or an equivalent designated domain or subdomain in other tenants as a from address.
  4. Aliases for Mass Mail services do not use a top level email domain and must use an alias from a subdomain.
  5. Aliases for listserv service must use "listname"@listserv.unc.edu" as a from address.


Onyen Email addresses and aliases are tied to the Onyen namespace and align to existing polices, standards, and processes that govern the Onyen account.  For more information on Onyen requirements that could impact your email address and alias please refer to:

  •  Onyen FAQ                                                                                                                                             
  • Appropriate Onyens - Creating an Onyen

 
For more Information on Email subdomains and anonymous senders please refer to:

  • Protecting UNC Subdomains
  • Anonymous Senders

 
For any additional questions on email alias entitlement "please submit an M365 support request" or contact your unit IT support for other platforms. Please Note: In order to support the operation of UNC mail and identity platforms, UNC ITS reserves the right to reject or change any email address or alias.

 

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