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Accounts & Access Management

Two-Factor for Alumni and Retirees



Need Help? Call the OIT Alumni and Retiree Account Change Hotline at 865-974-2001, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET. 

Two-factor authentication is now required for all alumni, retiree, and emeritus email accounts. 

Follow the instructions below to create a new password and set up two-factor authentication.

Follow these instructions to sign up for two-factor authentication today, or when prompted to sign in to your email account.

If you do not sign up by April 25, 2023, you will be auto-enrolled during the next few months. When that happens, your mobile device or email client will prompt you to log in to your UT email and you will need to create a new password and set up two-factor authentication at that time.

For the best experience:

  • Use your non-mobile devices, such as a laptop or desktop computer.
  • Have your mobile phone ready.
  • Know your username and password for the App Store or Google Play. You will install and set up the Duo Mobile app during this process.
  • Once you begin, follow ALL the steps to the end of the process. You will know you have completed setup when you see the message “You have successfully enabled two-factor authentication for your NetID account.” If you quit early, it will cause errors when accessing your UT email.

During this process, you will be guided through the following steps:

Please be vigilant not to respond to generic phishing scams that attempt to appear as OIT or UT officials requesting your urgent response.

  • OIT nor any HelpDesk staff will ever request that you share your password.
  • Only log in to the official OIT website (directory.utk.edu/setup) during this process.
  • If you have questions about the authenticity of the email you receive, please call the hotline with questions or access the official OIT website below to sign in.  
Get Started with Two-Factor Authentication

Alternatives to the Duo Mobile App

OIT strongly recommends using the Duo Mobile App. This is the most secure method of two-factor authentication. Once installed, you can receive a push notification or generate a temporary passcode. The temporary passcode does not require WiFi or data, so this is a great option if you’re traveling or if you have limited or no cell/internet service.

If you do not have a smartphone or tablet, you have two options:

  1. You may purchase a hardware token by visiting VolTech, located in the Student Union, Level G3.
  2. You may contact the OIT Alumni/Retiree Account Change Hotline at 865-974-2001 to request a temporary passcode.

Once you have a bypass code, you may generate a new bypass code for yourself every 30 days.

Additional Resources

Why the University Made this change

As we continue efforts to protect the University community, the UT administration decided to implement security changes for alumni, retirees, and emeritus faculty at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute. Read the full announcement online.

In 2019, we required two-factor authentication for all active faculty, staff, and student accounts. It’s now time to require the same level of protection for our alumni, retirees, and emeritus faculty.