Sponsored accounts are University accounts that provide guests with access to use both wired and wireless connections on campus and grant you access to University email, the My Illinois State Portal, Microsoft Office 365, and other services normally granted to a ULID account.

Who Uses Sponsored Accounts?

Visiting scholars, consultants, and others who have business with the University may be granted temporary guest access to campus systems and resources via University Login ID (ULID) accounts. A sponsored account provides users the same access as a normal ULID account, however, it is subject to different policies and procedures.

How do Guests Get an Account?

Sponsored accounts must be sponsored by a full-time University employee. The sponsor is sometimes referred to as the “owner” of the account and assumes some responsibility for how the account is used. Sponsored Accounts may remain active for up to 12 months from the date of activation. Sponsors wishing for a Sponsored Account to remain active beyond 12 months must submit a request for a Sponsored Account extension.

Requesting a Sponsored Account

A full-time University faculty or staff member must submit any request to create a sponsored account (Sponsoring the Account). To request a sponsored account:

1. Navigate to the Request a Guest Account form.
2. Log in via Central Login.
   1. For more information about Central Login at ISU, please refer to: Central Login
3. Fill out and submit the form.

Include the Following Information:

• Is the requested Guest Account for an individual guest or for a vendor?
• Guest User's First Name (if for a vendor, will need the First Name of a vendor contact)
• Guest User's Last Name (if for a vendor, will need the Last Name of a vendor contact)
• Guest User's Date of Birth (if for a vendor, will need DOB of a vendor contact)
• A non-ISU email address for the Guest User (if for a vendor, will need an email address for the vendor)
• The requested expiration date for the account (up to a maximum of 12 months from the activation date)
• Will the guest user require access to Canvas?
• Please include any special requests or applications the proposed guest will need access to. A guest account requires this information in order to be created. 

Once your Request has been processed, you (the guest's sponsor) will receive an email via the secure SendTo email application with the account details, which will serve as a notification that the new guest account is ready for activation. You (the sponsor) will then provide your guest with this information so that they can activate their Account. For instructions on how to activate your account, see: Activating your ULID Account.

Activating a Sponsored Account

After the SendTo email is received, it is then the responsibility of the guest's faculty/staff sponsor to open that email, including an attached Word file which contains the University Identification Number (UID), User Login ID (ULID), and Date of Birth, the guest will need to activate their account. The sponsor will give this information to their guest so they may activate their ULID account via the University Account Management Portal.

Managing a Sponsored Account

Password Management

 Your guest may change the password for their sponsored account by logging into the Account Management Portal. Once there, the guest will sign in with their ULID and Password. This will populate a menu with Account Management options including the option to Change your Password. If you have forgotten your password and need to retrieve and/or change it, click on the Forgot My Password link. 

• Guidance for Setting Strong Passwords
• Changing your ULID Password

Forgot Password

If you have forgotten your password, you may attempt to recover your account by answering the security questions you set during account activation. Navigate to the Account Management Portal and click the Forgot My Password link. For more information, please refer to:

• What If I Forget My ULID Password
• Changing your Security Questions

Change Ownership of a Sponsored Account

All sponsored accounts must have an owner/sponsor who is an employee of the University. To change, add, or remove an owner of a sponsored account, a request must be made through the Technology Support Center.

Example: The current owner of a sponsored account and plans to retire, that staff member should request a change of ownership before leaving Illinois State University. If the current owner has already left the University, the request should come from a supervisor in the previous owner's department.

To request a change in ownership, do one of the following:

• Call the Technology Support Center Desk at 309-438-4357.
• Send an email to SupportCenter@IllinoisState.edu from your @ilstu.edu address.
• Submit a web form by navigating to the Help website at ServiceNow Self-Service Portal, log in and submit a Request explaining that you would like to take over the account. Make sure to include the previous sponsor's name, the guest's name and any other pertinent information you feel necessary to include.  
  • Type the request details in text field provided and click Save →  OK to submit your request.

The request details must include the name of the sponsored account, the name and ULID of the current owner, and the name and ULID of the new owner to be assigned for any request.

Request a Sponsored Account Extension

Before a Sponsored Account expires, email notifications will be sent to both the Sponsored Account user and to the account sponsor to warn of the upcoming expiration date. Requests to extend the Sponsored account must be submitted before the account expires to remain active without interruption.

Faculty/Staff Sponsor:

Faculty/Staff sponsors may submit a request to extend a Sponsored Account by calling the Technology Support Center at 309-438-4357 or sending an email to SupportCenter@IllinoisState.edu and providing the Sponsored Account's information and the desired length of time for which you would like the account to be extended.

Authorized Sponsored Account User:

Authorized Sponsored Account users may submit a request to extend their account by following the instructions below:

1. Navigate to the IT Help Portal.
2. Fill out the Service Ticket detailing your request to extend the account. Make sure to include the Guest's ULID and or full name.
3. Click Submit Request.
4. When your request has been approved or denied by the account sponsor, you will receive an “Incident Closed” email that serves as notification of its completion.

Additional Assistance

• Accounts

How to Get Help

Technical assistance is available through the Illinois State University Technology Support Center at:

• Phone: (309) 438-4357
• Email: SupportCenter@IllinoisState.edu
• Submit a Request via Web Form: Get IT Help Form
• Live Chat: IT Help Live Chat