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Accounts & Access Management

Two-Factor for Alumni and Retirees



Need Help? Call the OIT Alumni/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.

UPCOMING REQUIRED STEPS: Password Update and Enable Two-Factor Authentication

STEP 1: Watch for the email notifying you that two-factor authentication is required this week.**

**Note** OIT has been informed that some weekly email notifications were not delivered. At this time, all Faculty and Staff Retirees and Alumni whose NetID begins with the letters “smo” have been enrolled and may proceed as directed below.

OIT will send an email with instructions for creating a new password and setting up Duo mobile. You are required to create a new password that is between 12 and 16 characters to ensure that no existing previously compromised gain access to UT email. OIT recommends you take a picture of the message, forward it to a personal email account, or print a copy so that you have easy access to the instructions.

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.  

STEP 2: When prompted to sign in to your email account, follow these instructions.

At some point during the week, your mobile device or email client will prompt you to log in to your UT email. When this happens, you will know that it’s time to create a new password and set up two-factor authentication.

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 below. If you quit early, it will cause errors when accessing your UT email.

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

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.