Google 2-Step Verification is a more secure method to access your Saint Mary's Google Workspace for Education account. You will sign in to your account with something you know (your password) and something you have (your phone or a backup code).

After you sign in to your Saint Mary's e-mail account for the first time, you will need to immediately enroll in Google 2-Step Verification. Google 2-Step Verification is required to be enabled on all saintmarys.edu accounts for security. If your account is not enrolled in Google 2-Step Verification, you may be locked out of your account by Google.

Saint Mary’s College has had Google 2-Step Verification enabled for accounts for years, but using the feature had previously been optional. Enrollment in Google 2-Step Verification is now required for all Saint Mary's accounts, effective April 12, 2022.

Any alumnae accounts that have not been enrolled in Google 2-Step Verification by Monday, May 5, 2025, will be deleted.

(Prior to July 2, 2025, new accounts had a 30-day enrollment window for Google 2-Step Verification. To provide a better experience with Google Workspace and reduce frustrations from forgetting to enroll within 30 days, enrollment in Google 2-Step Verification must now be completed when signing in to accounts for the first time.)

How do I set up Google 2-Step Verification?

You should automatically be prompted to enroll in Google 2-Step Verification the first time you sign in to your Saint Mary's Google Workspace account. You can verify that you have successfully enabled Google 2-Step Verification on your account by taking the following steps after signing in to your account successfully:

1. Visit myaccount.google.com.
2. If prompted, sign in to your Saint Mary's Google Workspace for Education account using your Saint Mary's e-mail address and password.
3. Click on Security in the left column. (If you do not see a column on the left, there may be a Security tab at the top of the page.)
4. Scroll down to the How you sign in to Google section.

5. Next to "2-Step Verification” it will tell you if 2-Step Verification has been turned on.

6. If it is not turned on, click on "2-Step Verification” and follow the prompts to turn it on. Google 2-Step Verification is required to be enabled on all saintmarys.edu accounts for security.

You can update your 2-Step Verification settings at myaccount.google.com.

You can also set up your personal device(s) to be trusted. You do not need to use 2-Step Verification every time you access your account on your trusted devices. To allow your device to be trusted, sign in to your Saint Mary's Google Workspace for Education account with your e-mail address and password, complete the 2-Step Verification process, and then check the box next to Don't ask again on this device. Then click Next.

You can remove devices from your trusted device list at myaccount.google.com.

Google offers additional information about adding or removing trusted devices for 2-Step Verification: Add or remove trusted computers.

How can I use Google 2-Step Verification if I'm traveling/studying internationally?

You can update your 2-Step Verification settings at myaccount.google.com to accommodate your travel plans.

We recommend setting up backup codes and/or Google Authenticator to eliminate the issues surrounding international phones and travel.

Google backup codes can be used when you don’t have access to your phone or mobile device (or if you have a device but that device has no connectivity). Google’s information on backup codes is available at https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/1187538.

Google Authenticator can be used when you have possession of your iOS or Android mobile device, but it does not require connectivity. Google’s information on Google Authenticator is available at https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/1066447. Google Authenticator is also an option as an identity factor for QuickLaunch.

All applications included in your Saint Mary's Google Workspace for Education account (Mail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, Calendar, Chat, Meet) will be protected by Google 2-Step Verification.

Google offers their own documentation on 2-Step Verification: Turn on 2-Step Verification

Students who need assistance with Google 2-Step Verification or their Saint Mary's account should contact ResNet.

• Visit us! The ResNet Office is located in B11 Cushwa-Leighton Library.
• E-mail ResNet at resnet@saintmarys.edu with questions. (You can e-mail us from a non-Saint Mary's e-mail address if you cannot access your account.)
• The ResNet Helpline is 574-284-5319, but we cannot unlock accounts over the phone.
• The ResNet Problem Report Forms are available at fixit.saintmarys.edu

Faculty and staff who need assistance with Google 2-Step Verification or their Saint Mary's account should contact the Helpdesk.

• Visit us! The Helpdesk is located in B11 Cushwa-Leighton Library.
• E-mail the Helpdesk at helpdesk@saintmarys.edu. (Only saintmarys.edu e-mail addresses can contact the Helpdesk.)
• Call the Helpdesk at 574-284-4715, but we cannot unlock accounts over the phone.

Alumnae, students on leave from the College, and former/inactive employees who still have active Saint Mary's e-mail accounts are required to activate Google 2-Step Verification for continued access to their accounts.