Telephone Service/Voice Mail

The Residence System at UPEI has been equipped with telephone, data, and cable television access to every residence room and apartment. The telephone sets included with the residence room and apartments are considered a component of the total contents of the student’s room. Occupants of the room are responsible for the security, safety, and the legal operation of these telephones. Abuse of the telephone system in any way will result in the removal of the equipment and services to that room.

Meridian Voice Mailbox

(For complete operating instructions, see section titled Meridian Mail Instructions) Each student is assigned a personal Voice Mailbox currently programmed into the telephone system. Each student has a Voice Mailbox number (listed on your Phone Information Card, which you receive during check-in), and a Voice Mailbox password, which is the same as the student’s University student number. This password can be changed to a password of your choice once you have logged into the system. The Voice Mailbox is attached to the student’s telephone number in the room he or she has been assigned for the academic year. Any room changes during or after check-in will cause a slight delay in moving the Voice Mailbox to the new telephone number.

Long Distance Calling, Charges, and Billing

All students are assigned a Long Distance Access Authorization Code (located on the Phone Information Card, which you receive during check-in). It is essential that this seven-digit code be kept confidential at all times. Should others have access to your authorization code, they would have the ability to charge long distance calls to your student account at the University Accounting Office, the same way a person could access money from your bank account if he or she had your bank card and PIN number. This authorization code cannot be changed by the student, but can be replaced if the student should forget or lose the code. If you believe someone may have acquired your code or if you have forgotten the code number, you should notify the Office of Residence Life immediately to have the original code cancelled and a new one assigned.

This authorization code allows all users to access the long distance calling service from your telephone set. It also allows the student to be billed individually for all long distance calls, eliminating potential confusion. Students who share a telephone benefit because they will not be required to divide the monthly telephone charges. Only long distance telephone charges will be billed to your student account.

Website Telephone Billing

The University does not issue a printed copy of your monthly telephone bill. You can view and print a current copy of your monthly telephone bill by logging on to the UPEI home page (www.upei.ca) and accessing your personal accounts through the boxes on the lower left side of the home page screen. Type in your Student ID number and your four-digit PIN (this PIN is not your telephone Long Distance Authorization Code). The four-digit PIN is assigned to you by the University and can be acquired through the Library or Registrar’s Office.

Making Inter-Residence and On-Campus Calls

You only need to dial the four-digit extension to make an inter-residence or on-campus call. Leaving messages for other residents is a very convenient feature. Check out the Meridian Mail features and feel free to experiment with all the options available to you with the Voice Mail system.

Making Off-Campus Local Calls

Simply dial 9 followed by the seven-digit local number. There are no charges to the student for local calls. If you hear a “fast busy” signal, that may mean that a large number of students are trying to call out at the same time. Be patient and try your call again later.

Making Long Distance Calls

Although it may seem cumbersome in the beginning, students will soon catch on to the long distance dialing system. Follow these simple steps and the UPEI Telephone System will take you where you want to go:

  1. First, dial 16 followed by your seven-digit Authorization Code, which you should keep very safe and secure.
  2. Following this, you will hear a regular dial tone.
  3. You are now ready to make your call. As with all off-campus calls, dial 9 + 1 + (Area Code) + (Telephone Number). When you hang up, your call charges terminate immediately and are rounded to the nearest six-second interval.

The University of Prince Edward Island and Aliant Inc. Telephone Company are continually making system upgrades to provide the best and most effective telephone services to all students in residence. We welcome your suggestions and encourage you to report any problems that may occur with your complete service (e-mail: residence@upei.ca). Should you encounter problems with your Authorization Code, your Voice Mail, or your telephone equipment, please e-mail the Residence Office or visit us at Bernardine Hall.

Troubleshooting

  1. If you do not hear a dial tone, check to see that the phone is plugged into either the left or right upper phone jack slots. Also check that all phone cords are connected properly. The telephone port has a small telephone symbol; the computer port, a small computer symbol.
  2. If your authorization code does not allow long distance access, call or e-mail the Residence Office (ext.2807 or residence@upei.ca).
  3. If you are having problems with your Voice Mailbox, call or e-mail the Residence Office (ext.2807 or residence@upei.ca).
  4. If you have been assigned a different room than what is indicated on your envelope package, the Residence Office will make the corrections during the first week of each semester. New information will be forwarded to you during that week.