EMU: Telecommunications

Telecommunications Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How much does voicemail cost?
The cost for voicemail service is already included in the monthly telephone charges, so there is no additional cost for implementing it.

What does a department/office do to add voicemail to their telephone service?
Call Cynthia Palombit, the Telecommunications Specialist at 734-487-6936, and she will program the service to your line(s.)

How do I access my voice mailbox from my office?
For most of the campus, you call 7-3500 from your line and enter your passcode when prompted. If you share a line with others, you will press the * key after the first ring, enter your mailbox number and press the * key again, then enter your passcode when prompted.
Halle Library and Porter Building mailbox users press the “Message” button on their phone or dial 4444, then enter your passcode when prompted.

How do I access my voice mailbox from off-campus?
For most of campus, dial 734-487-3500. The voicemail system answers and asks you to enter a mailbox number. Enter your 5-digit mailbox number followed by the * key. Enter your passcode when prompted.
Halle Library mailbox users will dial 734-487-0020. When the system answers, press the * key. Enter your mailbox number followed by another * key. Enter your passcode when prompted.
Porter Building mailbox users will dial 734-487-7120. When the system answers, press the * key twice. Enter your mailbox number followed by another * key. Enter your passcode when prompted.

How do I set up my passcode?
The first time you access your mailbox, you are required to enter the default passcode of 1-2-3-4. A tutorial is in place and will guide you through setting a private passcode. For security reasons you should not use any of the following as your private passcode:
Your mailbox number
1-2-3-4
4-3-2-1
or any passcode ending in a 3. The 3 key is used to delete messages.
You will be given the option of waiving a passcode. Choosing to do so is also is not recommended for security reasons.

What if I forget my passcode? Can Cynthia look it up for me?
No, the system does not allow access to private passcodes. However, Cynthia can reset your passcode back to the default of 1-2-3-4.

How do I change my passcode?
Access your voice mailbox and press 8 for User Options, then 7 from the next menu and follow the prompts. Your passcode can be between 4 - 10 digits.

How do I make or change my greeting?
The first time you log in to your mailbox, a tutorial will talk you through how to record your greeting.

You can change your greeting at any time by selecting 8 (User Options), then 4 (Greeting), and then following the prompts.

The standard greeting length is 1 minute. If you need more time, call Cynthia at 734-487-6936 to make the programming adjustment to your mailbox to allow for a longer greeting.

How do I know if I have a message?
The Halle and Porter Building systems have a message-waiting indicator light to notify the user.

Direct line mailboxes have a stutter dial tone to indicate a message waiting.

Mailbox users on a shared line must dial in to the voicemail system to find out if they have messages. If the option is available on their phone sets, Cynthia recommends these shared line users set up a speed-dial button on their phones to dial directly in to their voice mailbox.

How can I repeat part of a voicemail message without having to listen to the whole thing again?
Press the * key to move back 5 seconds. Each tap on the * key will go back 5 more seconds. To move forward 5 seconds, press the # key.

If I accidentally delete a message, can I get it back?
No, once deleted, a message cannot be retrieved.

What is a common or shared mailbox?
When two or more people have private mailboxes on the same telephone line, it is called a common, or shared mailbox.

How long can I save messages in my mailbox?
Messages are stored for 14 days, then they are purged. A message is renewed for another 14 days each time you listen to it in its entirety.

How many messages can be stored?
A maximum of 60 messages or 20 minutes can be stored. The maximum log-in time to your mailbox is also 20 minutes.

I often get long voicemail messages. Can the length of time for messages be extended?
Yes. The standard message length is 2 minutes. Call Cynthia at 734-487-6936 if you require a programming change to allow for longer messages.

How can I bypass the greeting of the person I am calling and get to the “beep” so I can leave my message?
You may press any number key from 1-9 to go directly to the “beep.”