What This Service Is
If you're locked out of your Bowdoin account and can't fix it yourself — you've forgotten your password and can't reset it, you have no working way to verify your identity, or both — this service gets you help getting back in. You do not need to be signed in to submit this request.
Need access right now? The fastest way back in is to call the Bowdoin College Service Desk at (207) 725-3030 during business hours. A phone call works even when you can't sign in to anything.
Who It's For
Any Bowdoin account holder — faculty, staff, or student — who is locked out and cannot resolve it through self-service. If you can still sign in, this is not the right service (see below).
How to Get Started
First, check whether you can fix it yourself — it's usually faster:
- Forgot your password but have a recovery email or phone on your account? Reset it yourself at login.bowdoin.edu.
- Got a new device but still have your old one? You can move Okta Verify yourself — see the Related Articles section.
If you can't resolve it yourself, submit the request on this page or call (207) 725-3030. Because this request can be submitted by anyone, and because restoring access to a locked-out account lowers its protection, we verify your identity in person or by live video before resetting a password or granting access.
What to have ready: your name and Bowdoin username, a phone number we can reach you at, and a photo ID for the verification step. If you can, include your Bowdoin email address — it helps us confirm which account is yours. Since you may not be able to get into your Bowdoin email while you're locked out, you can also give us a separate personal email where we can reach you. You'll complete a short video call, or visit the Tech Hub in Smith Union.
Not What You're Looking For?
- If you can still sign in and just want to change your password, reset it yourself at login.bowdoin.edu — see Resetting your Bowdoin account password in the Related Articles section.
- If you still have a working device or authentication method, use it to sign in, then get help setting up or adding a device through the Sign-In & Account Access service once you're in.
- If you don't use a smartphone and need a physical hardware token, that's handled through the Request or Replace a Hardware Security Token service once you can sign in.
Service Promise
Emergency sign-in requests are treated with drop-everything urgency during business hours. We'll contact you at the phone number you provide to arrange identity verification. Once verified, we'll reset your password, issue a temporary access code, or both. Any temporary access code is valid for a maximum of 8 hours and is then removed automatically, so set up a permanent authentication method and a recovery option right away. For current Service Desk hours, see Technology Support Options and Hours in the Related Articles section — or just call (207) 725-3030.
Provided By
Identity & Access Management and the Bowdoin College Service Desk.