MAKATI CITY — I just received a memo from my alma mater saying that our Silliman email accounts will be permanently deleted starting May 19. Super appreciate the grace period.
I understand that this move may have stemmed from Google reducing the free perks of Google Workspace for Education — limiting total storage per institution, and pushing schools to prioritize accounts for active students, faculty, and administrators. I get it. We all need to adapt.
But I’m also disappointed, to be honest.
When I was still a student at Silliman around 10 years ago, there was a promise—spoken or implied—that our school email addresses would be available for life.
Even though we used these Silliman email addresses while we were still students, we eventually built our professional lives around them. Some of us continue to use this email to register for premium tools like Canva, Spotify, and other academic resources.
In my case, my Silliman email address became my official address for scholarship applications and professional opportunities.
It’s also where I connect with mentors, networks from my exchange program, and fellow young advocates around the world.
Now, all that is about to disappear.
While I know we may be powerless to reverse this, I’ve taken a few steps just in case it could help others:
- Backed up all my files and emails via Google Takeout
- Sent out an email to all relevant contacts to let them know of my work email.
If you’re also affected, I strongly suggest doing the same. You have about four weeks before May 19.
But still, I sincerely hope the University reconsiders their decision. So much will be compromised.
And while I understand the priority for the use of the Silliman email address is for current students, it’s hard to accept this announcement of termination now when we were once told that this digital identity would remain with us beyond graduation; that our University would be with us for life.
Come to think of it, we alumni are not asking to get in the way; we’re asking to stay connected.
I hope there’s still room for that.
Val Amiel Vestil
Valvestil@SU.edu.ph
Knowledge Management specialist
Forest Foundation Philippines
