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

1. Log into mail.student.american.edu. 
2. Click the gear icon on the right hand side of the screen
3. On the menu that appears, select SETTINGS and FORWARDING AND POP/IMAP. 
4. Scroll down and select ENABLE IMAP. 
5. 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. You'll then see a screen like the one below;

   

3. Click the CREATE A NEW ACCOUNT option under Accounts.
4. You'll then see a screen like the one below;