Password Rule Set for Faculty & Staff Network Accounts

Due to increased cybercrime, phishing, and malware, IT is improving the security of GVSU passwords by increasing the minimum required number of characters to 12. Upon receiving notice that your password is going to expire, you will be required to change your password according to the rules below.

Your password will require:

• Password length between 12 and 50 characters

  • Accounts under critical departments require passwords of 15 characters or more. 

• Contains:

  • Uppercase letter(s)

  • Lowercase letter(s)

  • Number(s)

• Recommended, but not required:

  • Special characters allowed: ~ % ^ * _ -  | { } [ ] : ' .

• Cannot contain:

  • Part of your username

  • Part of your first name

  • Part of your last name

• DO NOT use Spaces

• Passphrases are recommended, see Setting Strong Passwords

• Your new password will need to be reset every 18 months

NOTE: If you have a mobile device that accesses email and/or WiFi (iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Android smartphone, personal computer, etc.), please be aware that the password must be changed on that device as well (possibly in two places: email and WiFi). If you do not change the password on the mobile device, it may lock you out of your account.

A Note About Personal Devices

• After changing your password, please update it immediately on any personal devices that connect to GVSU email or WiFi (smartphones, tablets, etc.).
  • Failure to update the password on your devices may result in a temporary lock of your account. If you suspect your account is locked, please call the IT Service Desk at (616) 331-2101 or turn off your personal devices and wait 20 minutes for the temporary lock to be lifted.
• Information about resetting your password via a personal device can be found at the bottom of this page.

On Campus

Macintosh Users

GVSU Mac users should always change their password before it expires via the Enterprise Connect app installed on their machine:

1. Login to your Mac.
2. Click on the Enterprise Connect icon in the upper right corner of your screen (it looks like a key with a circle around it).
3. Select "Change Password..."
4. Enter your old (current) password, then enter your new password and verify it.
5. Click "Change Password" and you will receive confirmation that your password has been changed.
   • If you are prompted to update your Keychain with the new password, please do so.
   • If prompted, be sure to update your password for Email and WiFi.

Windows Users

1. Login to your computer.
2. Press CTRL+ALT+DEL and select "Change a Password".
3. Enter your old password, then enter your new password and confirm it.
4. Hit ENTER and you will receive confirmation that your password has been changed.
   • If prompted, be sure to update your password for Email and WiFi.

Mobile Devices

• We recommend changing your password via a GVSU computer if you are on campus.
• If that is not practical, please refer to the "Personal Devices" section below.