Please follow the instructions below to enable IMAP access to your AU-sponsored Gmail account:

1. Log into mail.student.american.edu. 
2. Click SETTINGS and FORWARDING AND POP/IMAP. 
3. Scroll down and select ENABLE IMAP. 
4. Then, click SAVE CHANGES from the bottom of the page.

Please follow the instructions below to configure Thunderbird to access your AU-sponsored Gmail account:

1. Open Thunderbird. 
2. Select TOOLS, and then ACCOUNT SETTINGS. 
3. Click ADD ACCOUNT. 
4. Select the EMAIL ACCOUNT radio button and click NEXT. The Identity screen will appear. 
5. Enter your full name in the YOUR NAME field. Enter your full Gmail E-MAIL ADDRESS (including @STUDENT.AMERICAN.EDU) in the EMAIL ADDRESS field. Then, click NEXT. 
6. Click the IMAP radio button. 
7. Type IMAP.GMAIL.COM in the INCOMING SERVER field. Then, click NEXT. 
8. Enter your Gmail USER NAME (including @STUDENT.AMERICAN.EDU) in the INCOMING USER NAME and OUTGOING USER NAME fields. Then, click NEXT. 
9. Enter a NAME for your AU-sponsored Gmail account in the ACCOUNT NAME field. Then, click NEXT. 
10. Verify your account information in the dialog box, and click FINISH. 
11. The Account Settings window will remain open. Click the SERVER SETTINGS option from the folder list on the left below your new account. 
12. You will see a screen similar to the one below:
    
    
    
13. Type 993 in the field for the PORT:. 
14. Click the SSL radio button from the SECURITY SETTINGS section. 
15. Click the checkbox to select CHECK FOR NEW MESSAGES AT STARTUP. 
16. Click OUTGOING SERVER (SMTP) from the folder list on the left.
    
    
    
17. Click ADD. Beside DESCRIPTION and SERVER NAME, type SMTP.GMAIL.COM. 
18. Type 587 in the field for the PORT:. 
19. Select USER NAME AND PASSWORD. Then, type YOUR FULL E-MAIL ADDRESS in the USER NAME field. Be sure to include @STUDENT.AMERICAN.EDU. 
20. Click the TLS radio button from the USE SECURE CONNECTION section. Then, click OK. 
21. Click OK again to save your changes and exit the Account Settings dialog box.

If you have trouble logging in, make sure you are using the password for your AU-sponsored Gmail account, which is not necessarily the same as your password for my.american.edu. Also, double-check that your USER NAME is set to your full e-mail address in the format of username@student.american.edu, rather than just your user name. To do this, click on TOOLS and then ACCOUNT SETTINGS. Then, click SERVER SETTINGS and verify the USER NAME field.

Please contact the IT Help Desk for assistance at 202-885-2550, helpdesk@american.edu, or AskAmericanUHelp.