This edition of the Record, centred on science and technology at ������Ƶ Allison, reminds us how much the University has grown and changed. Long seen as an “arts school,” ������Ƶ Allison is in fact a place where the sciences and the arts sit side by side, graduating equal numbers of students in both. In these pages, we celebrate the people and ideas — past, present, and future — that shape our understanding of the world. It also feels fitting, in an issue dedicated to change and discovery, to share an update on how our own digital tools must evolve.

Wishing we knew then what we know now.

When ������Ƶ Allison introduced “email for life,” it came from a genuine desire to stay connected. In the early days of the internet, it felt almost magical — a simple promise of lifelong belonging. It also gave us a reliable way to keep in touch during a time when people moved frequently and staying current with addresses was difficult. No one could have predicted how complex our digital lives would become.

As the years passed, email grew into a space with far greater privacy, security, and legal responsibilities — especially as access-to-information legislation began applying to messages sent through university domains. What started as a courtesy evolved into something that required extraordinary care. Change like this is never easy, but it is part of our responsibility to protect both our alumni and the institution.

We have been phasing out alumni use of the @mta.ca email system for several years, beginning with earlier graduating classes and moving forward one group at a time. In the coming year, we will inform the remaining classes from 2015–2025 when they will need to stop using their @mta.ca accounts. No one will be surprised — we will provide plenty of notice, clear timelines, and simple instructions.

More than anything, we will keep the spirit of the original promise intact. “Email for life” was never truly about an address; it was about belonging and the feeling that ������Ƶ Allison stays with you long after you leave campus. That remains unchanged.

In the meantime, we encourage alumni still using an @mta.ca address to begin shifting files, subscriptions, banking contacts, or personal accounts to a private email. It’s a small step that will make the transition easier, and we will support the community through every stage.

What won’t change is the connection. We will continue to find modern, secure, and meaningful ways to stay in touch — just as we always have.

Warmly,
Carolle de Ste-Croix
Director of Alumni Engagement