OSU Computer Helpdesk

Can anyone tell me what the difference between an OSU ID number and ONID account?

Anyone?

Bueller…Bueller?

OK, well let’s break-it down because you are not alone if you are confused by what the two accounts can do.

An OSU ID number (sometimes shortened to OSU ID) is a 9 digit number, usually starting with 93-, which is assigned to you when you first start your affiliation with Oregon State University. This number can be found on your OSU ID card if you have one.  Your GAP is a 6 digit number that is set to you birthday in MMDDYY form by default, but must be changed to another number through Online Services to be valid for an ONID account creation. GAP numbers are paired with OSU IDs and can be thought of like a username/password combination that you can use to log-in to Online Services and to confirm your identity when setting up your ONID account.

An ONID account is OSU’s general use account for current students and employees of the university. Now, what the heck does “general use” mean? Well, it means that ONID is used by a whole bunch of services around campus to verify that you are eligible for certain benefits that are reserved specifically for people who are currently associated with the university. Some of those benefits that current students and employees can enjoy include:

• Use of on-campus computers
• Email
• Blackboard
• Access to file storage and web space on the OSU servers

An ONID username uses combination of the first couple of letters from your last name followed by the first couple of letters of your first name. This username is assigned to you by the ONID system. Everyone who gets an ONID account automatically gets an email address with the form username@onid.orst.edu.

Example

Name: Benny Beaver
ONID Username: beaver
ONID Email address: Bennyb@onid.orst.edu

Your email address is NOT your username. If you are tying to log into something that requires ONID authentication using your email address instead of your username, then you will get a “Bad Username or Password “error.

An ONID password must a mixture of numbers and letters, unlike the GAP number which only contains numbers. The ONID password is usually more complex than your GAP number.

Why do we need two accounts?

It seems a litte excesive, I know, but the main reason for two accounts is the accessibility of your personal records after you leave OSU. Your ONID account will be deactivated and eventually be deleted when your affiliation with OSU ends. Your OSU ID and GAP will never expire, allowing you to reach your transcripts and other personal information online years after you have left the university.

Ok, now that we know the difference between the two accounts our brains are probably saturated with all this info, I know mine is! Let’s meet back here next Thursday and I will describe how to set up your ONID account from the ground up!