Resetting your Bowdoin account password

Questions

  • How do I reset my Bowdoin password?
  • I forgot my Bowdoin password — how do I get back in?
  • How do I change my Bowdoin password if I know my current one?
  • My Bowdoin password has expired — what do I do?
  • How do I reset my password through the Okta portal?
  • How do I reset my Bowdoin email password?
  • I am not receiving a password reset email from Okta — what can I do?
  • How do I reset my password if I never set up a recovery phone or email?
  • I cannot log in to any Bowdoin service — could it be my password?
  • As a new employee or student, how do I change my temporary Bowdoin password?

Environment

This article applies to all Bowdoin faculty, staff, students, and Emeritus with a standard Bowdoin account. Bowdoin uses Okta for account authentication — all password changes and resets go through the Okta portal at login.bowdoin.edu.

  • Two self-service methods are available: changing a password you already know, and resetting a forgotten or expired password using enrolled recovery options.
  • If no recovery options are enrolled, an assisted reset through the Service Desk is required.
  • For non-standard accounts (contractor, collaborator, auditor), see Understanding non-standard Bowdoin accounts in the Related Articles section.

Resolution

Change your password (you know your current password)

Use this method if you can currently sign in and want to update your password.

  1. Go to login.bowdoin.edu in any web browser and sign in with your current password.
  2. Click your name near the top of the page, then click the small disclosure arrow next to it.
  3. Select Settings from the drop-down menu.
  4. Click Edit Settings.
  5. Enter your current password when prompted to verify your identity.
  6. In the Change Password section, enter your current password and your new password.
  7. Click Change Password.
Note: Your new password may take a few minutes to sync across all Bowdoin systems and services. Use your new password for any Bowdoin system or service going forward.

Reset your password (you forgot it or it has expired)

Use this method if you cannot sign in. This requires a recovery phone number or personal email address to be enrolled in your Okta account.

  1. Go to login.bowdoin.edu in any web browser.
  2. Enter your Bowdoin email address and click Next.
  3. Below the password field, click Forgot password?
  4. Select Email as your verification method, then click Select.
    • A screen will confirm part of your Bowdoin email address. If correct, click Send me an email.
    • The same reset message is also sent to any secondary personal email address on file in your account.
  5. Check both your Bowdoin inbox and your personal email inbox for a message from Okta with a password reset link.
  6. Follow the instructions in the email to open the reset page. You may be asked to confirm your email address again.
  7. On the reset screen, create a new password following Bowdoin's requirements, then click Change Password.
Important: This self-service method only works if you have previously enrolled a recovery phone number or personal email address in Okta. If you have not set these up, or if you do not receive a reset email, use the assisted reset method described below. To enroll recovery options in advance, see How to enroll in self-service password reset in the Related Articles section.

Request an assisted reset (no recovery options available)

If you do not receive a reset email, or if you have never enrolled recovery options, the Service Desk can reset your password for you. Due to security requirements, all assisted resets take place during regular business hours, Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–5:00 PM EST.

  • In person: Visit the Tech Hub in Smith Union. No appointment is needed.
  • By phone: Call (207) 725-3030. A staff member will arrange a video call to verify your identity before completing the reset.
Important: For security reasons, password resets cannot be completed by email or chat. In-person or video verification is required.

Additional Help

If you need further assistance, you have several options:

  • Bowdoin Bot: Chat with Bowdoin Bot directly from any KB page for instant answers.
  • Phone: Call the Bowdoin College Service Desk at (207) 725-3030.
  • In person: Visit the Tech Hub in Smith Union during business hours.
  • Submit a ticket: Request assistance through the Service Catalog.
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