Help Desk

Network Information

FAQs about Willy and Student Email

Questions about the Willy Account

Q: Do I have a Willy account?

A: All currently enrolled students at Wayne State College are given accounts on Willy, the student email system.

Q: What is the charge for activating my Willy account?

A: There is no charge for WSC students taking at least one class through Wayne State College.

Q: What must I do to have my Willy account activated?

A: Willy accounts utilize the same login and password as the campus network account. Network and email accounts are created 10 days prior to the start of the first semester you are enrolled in. Students who are unsure of their logins and passwords can get account information from the Network and Technology Services Helpdesk. If inquiring in person students must present their student ID to receive the account information. Otherwise students are welcome to call (402-375-7107) or email the Helpdesk (helpdesk@wsc.edu).

Q: Do I need to be on campus to access my Willy account?

A: No. Your Willy account can be accessed from any computer in the world that is connected to the Internet. Access your email ) via the web using your network account username and password to login into eCampus (http://ecampus.wsc.edu) then click on “Willy Webmail” under “Online Resources” or 2) putty to willy.wsc.edu

Q: What will my email address be on Willy?

A: Your email address will begin with your network account username (which is provided when your account is activated), and will end with the
suffix @willy.wsc.edu -

For example, the email address for John Miller would look like the following: jomill01@willy.wsc.edu *not all accounts will have 01, your account might be 02, 03, 04……

Q: How do I log on to Willy on the campus network?

A:  First log in to your network account. From here you have two options:

1. To access Willy's "Pine" email program, click on the shortcut icon marked "telnet to willy". You will be prompted for your willy login name. After typing in your login name and hitting return, you will be prompted for your password. *Remember* login names and passwords are case sensitive! After you have typed in both login name and password, you will be at Willy's main menu. Hit “M” to enter your electronic mail. 

2. To access Willy Webmail, open up Netscape and type in the following web address: https://willy.wsc.edu/ From here you will be prompted for your login and password. *Remember* login names and passwords are case sensitive! 

Q: What do I do if I have forgotten my password for Willy?

A:You can reset your password on your own by clicking on the “I forgot my password” link located just under the Login boxes on the eCampus main page (http://ecampus.wsc.edu). Otherwise you are welcome to call (402-375-7107) or email the Network and Technology Services Helpdesk (helpdesk@wsc.edu). * If inquiring in person students must present their student ID to receive the account information.

Q: When I try to login, I get the message “login incorrect”.
What did I do wrong?

A: This could indicate one of several problems. The first possibility is that you typed in your login name or password incorrectly. Remember that login names and passwords on Willy are case sensitive. You might also check to make sure the Caps Lock is turned off. If you are sure that typed in your login name and password correctly, then one of the following scenarios has likely occurred:

1. Your password is invalid because you failed to change it when the system instructed you to do so.
2. Your password is invalid because you have not logged in to your account for more than 40 days.

In either case, please refer to the question above for resetting your password.

Q: I want to change my password on Willy. Where can I do this?

A:When utilizing the telnet version (Pine) you can change your password by selecting the "change password" command (option "p") from the opening menu. When utilizing Willy Webmail you can change your password by clicking on the "options" link located on the main screen. 

Q: Can I keep my Willy account after the school year is over?

A:Yes! A recent change in policy will allow students to access their Willy account as long as they are currently enrolled at Wayne State College or have graduated from WSC. All WSC alumni are welcome to keep using their Willy Webmail account for as long as they like. Unless requested otherwise these accounts stay active.

Q: If I already have an email account from another source, do I need to activate my Willy account?

A:It is highly recommended that all students log into and check their Willy Webmail, as some instructors keep in contact with WSC students through their college email account. However, it is possible to change the default email address in which you wish to be contacted. This can be done through updating your personal information in WebCAT

Q: Can I have mail sent to my Willy account automatically forwarded to a different email account?

A: Yes, as long as you’ve accessed your email account via Putty. Perform the following steps:  From the Main Menu, choose option "F" for Unix and File Utilities.  From the next menu choose option "D" for Dot File Utilities.  From the next menu choose option "F" for forward mail utilities.  From the next screen type in the complete email address to which you wish to have your Willy mail forwarded.  Press the <ctrl> key and the "X" key simultaneously to exit and save the forwarding instructions.  Your mail will now be forwarded to your other account.

Q: Can I use Netscape Messenger or some other Popmail or Imap service to access my Willy account?

A: Yes.  Instructions for Netscape Messenger are available here.  We recommend utilizing Messenger on campus for people who prefer a graphical email interface.  Other Popmail or Imap mail programs such as Microsoft Exchange or Eudora may also be utilized from your home computers.

Questions about using the Email Programs

Q: What Email program does Willy run?

A: Willy runs both the Pine email program as well as a webmail program.  Pine was developed at the University of Washington, and is currently among the most popular text based email programs in the United States.  It is used by thousands of colleges, high schools, and individuals to meet basic email needs.

Q: How do I get to the Pine Email program from the initial menu in Willy?

A: Select option "M" for electronic mail.  Remember that Willy is a keyboard controlled system.  You must use your keyboard to enter commands, as your mouse will not operate in this environment.

Q: How do I read messages that other people have sent me in Pine?

A: Select option "I" for Folder Index.  This will take you to your "inbox".  From there you will see a list of email messages that other people have sent to you.  To read one of the messages, simply highlight it by using the keyboards arrow keys, and then press <enter>.

Q: How do I send a message to someone else in Pine?

A: Select option "C" from the email menu for the Compose Message screen.  From here you can type in the email address of the person you wish to send email to at the "To:" prompt.  You may type in a subject if you wish.  Then type in the message below the "message text" line.

Q: What do the ^ symbols next to the Commands at the bottom of the Compose Message screen stand for?

A: The ^ (called a carrot symbol) symbolizes the <Ctrl> key on IBM compatible keyboards.  On commands with a ^ symbol next to the letter, you must simultaneously press both the <Ctrl> key and the proper letter to execute the command.  For example, to send a message you would hold down the <Ctrl> key and press the "X" key at the same time.