The legacy SPS email system used addresses ending in spsmail.cuny.edu and was the former student email platform for CUNY SPS. This system has been replaced by a CUNY wide Microsoft 365 email environment and is no longer the official or supported student email service. As part of this transition, the legacy email platform is being phased out and will be permanently disabled in the future.
This information applies specifically to students who previously used an spsmail.cuny.edu email address and who were not enrolled during the Fall 2025 or Spring 2026 semesters. Students enrolled during those terms had their legacy email content copied into the new Microsoft 365 system and should follow the guidance on the current student email page instead. Students enrolled prior to Fall 2025 did not have their legacy emails migrated.
For affected students, legacy email messages remain only in the spsmail.cuny.edu system while it continues to be accessible. Although some users may still be able to log in to their legacy account, access is temporary and not guaranteed. The legacy system is considered transitional only and will be permanently disabled, at which point all access to stored email messages, attachments, and account data will end.
Students who still rely on a legacy spsmail.cuny.edu account should act as soon as possible. This includes:
- Reviewing all messages in the legacy inbox
- Downloading or saving important emails and attachments
- Updating academic, professional, and personal contacts who may still use the old address
- Transitioning all communication to the new Microsoft 365 email account
Once the legacy system is disabled, remaining content may no longer be recoverable.
Legacy SPS email accounts are not intended to function as alumni or lifetime email accounts. Continued access is provided solely to support the transition to Microsoft 365 and will end when the legacy platform is retired. Former students who need copies of their legacy email content should save that information while access remains available.
Frequently Asked Questions – Legacy SPS Email Accounts
This FAQ is for students who previously used a @spsmail.cuny.edu email account and are transitioning to the new CUNY wide Microsoft 365 email system.
- Who is considered a legacy email user?
You are considered a legacy SPS email user if you:
- Previously used an spsmail.cuny.edu email address, and
- Were not enrolled during the Fall 2025 or Spring 2026 semesters
Students in this group did not have their legacy email migrated to the new email system.
- Will my legacy spsmail.cuny.edu emails be migrated?
No. Email migration was performed only for students enrolled during the Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 semesters.
Students enrolled prior to Fall 2025 will not have email messages copied into the new Microsoft 365 environment.
- Can I still access my legacy spsmail.cuny.edu account?
Yes, temporarily. Students whose emails were not migrated may continue to access their legacy SPS email account while the system remains available.
However, the legacy SPS email system is being phased out and will be permanently disabled. Once it is disabled, access to legacy email accounts and stored messages will end.
- How long will legacy email accounts remain accessible?
Legacy email accounts will remain accessible only until the legacy system is officially disabled. An exact shutdown date may be announced separately.
Students should assume that access may end with limited notice and should act as soon as possible to save any needed information.
- What should I do before the legacy system is disabled?
If you still have access to an account, you should:
- Review your old email messages
- Download or save important attachments
- Update personal or professional contacts who may still use your old address
- Begin using your new Microsoft 365 email account for all communication
Once the legacy system is disabled, messages and attachments stored there may no longer be recoverable.
- I’m no longer an active student. Can I keep my legacy email account?
Legacy @spsmail.cuny.edu email accounts are temporary and will eventually be disabled. Access will end once the legacy email platform is retired.
- I am a returning student after a break. Will my old legacy emails be available in my new account?
If you are now an active student, you will receive a new CUNY SPS Microsoft 365 email account. However, emails from your previous spsmail.cuny.edu account will not be copied or migrated into the new system unless you were enrolled during the Fall 2025 or Spring 2026 semesters.
If you still have access to your legacy account, you should save any important messages or attachments while the system remains available.
- Can the Help Desk migrate my old legacy emails for me?
No. The Help Desk cannot manually migrate email messages from the legacy spsmail.cuny.edu system into Microsoft 365. Migration was automated and limited to eligible students only.
Students are responsible for saving any legacy email content they wish to keep before the legacy system is disabled.