The following comes from the UWF Electronic Communications Policy:

Electronic mail is an official means of communication with the University of West Florida. UWF provides electronic mail services and facilities to the campus community for the furthering of the University mission, which includes the support of instruction, scholarly research and other creative activities, public service and administrative activities of the University.

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The University’s email system exists primarily to accomplish the work of the University. Therefore, using it for personal communication should be done in a prudent and responsible manner.

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Users of the University electronic communication system should have no expectation of privacy, in that most email messages sent through a University of West Florida account are public records[...]  Although personal email unrelated to University business generally is not a public record, most email sent through the UWF email system is a public record, and may be publicly disclosed upon request in accordance with Florida’s public records law.

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University electronic mail services may not be used for [...] [c]ommercial purposes not under the auspices of the University [or] [p]ersonal financial gain (except as permitted under applicable policies)

Keeping this policy in mind. The ITS Help Desk strongly encourages UWF students and employees to use their UWF Gmail accounts for official UWF business only. 

The ITS Help Desk also strongly discourages UWF students and employees from using their UWF Gmail accounts to sign up for third-party online accounts (such as social media and banking accounts), unless a reputable company offers a specific discount for, or requires .edu email addresses (such as Amazon and GitHub). 

Please know that all UWF students and nearly all UWF employees do not have indefinite access to their UWF Gmail accounts.  All UWF students and nearly all UWF employees will eventually lose access to their UWF Gmail accounts at some point.  Please visit the Leaving UWF and ArgoNet Account Checklist for Students Leaving UWF for additional details.