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E-mail & Computing
Changing Administrative System Passwords

How to Change Your Password

For Accounts Payable (AP/CAR), the AP/CAR system itself prompts you on how to change your password.

This page relates to the following information systems only: Financial (FAS), Labor (LDS), Purchasing (CAPS), Projects and Grants Tracking (SPOTS), and Student (SIS).

Passwords are changed at the initial CUIT Administrative Application Logon Screen. Although the process is fairly simple, the system messages you will see are not necessarily intuitive. However, if you follow the instructions below, you should be able to change your password quickly and easily.

Guidelines for Creating Passwords
Changing your password before it expires
Changing your password after it expires

Guidelines for Creating Passwords

  1. Passwords must be a minimum of six characters and a maximum of eight.
  2. Your password must be different from the last six you have used. It is recommended that you change your password every 30 to 60 days.
  3. You must change it every 90 days, and the system will prompt you to do so.
  4. Don't use common names or standard computing terms that can easily be guessed. Strong passwords are at least six characters in length and composed of numbers and letters that appear to be nonsense - except to you.
  5. For various reasons, certain words are restricted. If, after creating a new password, you get the message "invalid - restricted word" try again using a different password.
  6. Protect your password as carefully as the PIN number for your bank card. Do not write it down where it could easily be found by someone using your workstation.
  7. Do not share your password with co-workers, no matter how much you trust them. Your password is for you alone. You are responsible for any work that is done under your ID and  password.
  8. When the owner of the CUIT Administrative ID leaves the University or changes jobs, the manager or department administrator MUST notify Information Security Services so that the ID can be deleted.

Changing Your Password Before It Expires



Two weeks before your password expires you will begin seeing the warning message "Password will expire soon on mm/dd/yy" in the message area on the Application Selection screen. When you see this message, you have two choices: 1) You can wait until the password does expire and you are prompted to change it (as above) or 2) you can change it the next time you log on. To do that:
  1. At the CUIT Application Logon Screen enter your Administrative ID and current password in the appropriate fields.
  2. Tab to the "New Password" field and type in a new password. Hit the Enter key. You will see a message prompting you to "Reenter the new password for verification."
  3. Re-enter your new password and hit the Enter key or tab to "Group" before hitting the Enter key, if you use that field. You will now be logged in, and the Application Selection Screen will be displayed. In the message area, you will see the message "Password change successful."
Possible Error Messages

  • If you get the error message "New password is invalid," it means you have chosen a word that is restricted by the system. Go back to step one and try again using a different password.
  • If you get the message :Password is incorrect", it means you have entered your old password incorrectly. Go back to step one and begin the process again.
Please Note: Once the password change is accepted at the initial Application Logon Screen, your new password is the only valid password for all system password checks, whether you are accessing VM/CMS, any CICS region, and/or M204. However, your new password change does not affect or change any internal application ID/password combinations that you might have, such as the SIS 4-character IDs and passwords, for example.

Changing Your Password After It Expires



After you have tried to log on, you will see the message "Password has expired. New password missing" at the top of the screen, and the cursor will return to the "User" field. To change your expired password:
  1. Tab to the "Password" field and re-enter your current (expired) password. Do not skip this step!
  2. Tab to the "New Password" field and type in a new password. Type the password carefully, as it will not show as you type it. Hit the Enter key.
  3. The cursor will be positioned at the "New Password" field and you will see a message prompting you to "Re-enter the new password for verification.
  4. Type in your new password again and hit the Enter key. You will now be logged in, and the Application Selection Screen will be displayed. In the message area near the bottom of the screen you will see the message "Password change successful.
Possible Error Messages

  • If you get the error message "New password is invalid," it means you have chosen a word that is restricted by the system. Go back to step one and try again using a different password.
  • If you get the message "Password is incorrect," it means you have entered your old password incorrectly. Go back to step one and begin the process again.
Please Note: Once the password change is accepted at the initial Application Logon Screen, your new password is the only valid password for all system password checks, whether you are accessing VM/CMS, any CICS region, and/or M204. However, your new password change does not affect or change any internal application ID/password combinations that you might have, such as the SIS 4-character IDs and passwords, for example.

For additional assistance, call the Computing Help Desk at 212-854-1919.
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