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Northern Illinois University

Everything Technology Handbook

Call Answering Service (CAS) Student Voicemail

CAS is the students’ voicemail system. Any residence hall student, including Northern View Community, may have free voicemail. To request a free mailbox, please call 752-5900 from your own room or apartment, and follow the prompts. You will be asked for:

  • your name
  • the 7-digit phone number in your room
  • your residence hall name and room number (e.g. Stevenson North 1240)
  • your NIU e-mail address

Requests will be turned around in one to two working days. You will be assigned a 7-digit mailbox number and a temporary password. Instructions are on our web site.

More information about student voice mail and set up instructions are available at: go.et.niu.edu/cas

To set up the mailbox

Log in to your CallPilot Mailbox to change your password and setup your greetings.

  • Dial the CallPilot Mailbox system access number, 753-7300,
  • When you hear the prompt, “Mailbox”, enter the mailbox number given to you.
  • Then enter your temporary password and press #.
  • You will be prompted to change your password.
  • Enter your new personal password followed by #.
  • Confirm your new personal password followed by #.
  • The CallPilot Mailbox system will confirm your password has been changed.

Setup your Personal Verification (Name Recording)

NOTE: This step is very important and must be done for this mailbox to operate.

  • The system will prompt you to record your name; after a beep you record your name, then press #.
  • The system will play back the name verification.

Greeting

  • The Greeting is optional. If you wish to record a greeting, enter the prompt 821.
  • Press 5 to start recording.

To Access VoiceMail

  • Dial 753-7300 (or 1-815-753-7300 from off-campus).
  • Enter your mailbox number and press # when prompted.
  • Enter your password and press # when prompted.

Voicemail Etiquette

  • In your greeting
    • Identify yourself with first and last name.
      Not all callers will be personal friends; some may be business calls or classmates.
    • Keep your greeting short.
      Long greetings and music just slow things down.
    • Update your greeting when needed.
      Keep it fresh and current.
  • In your Personal Verification
    • Use your first and last name.
      Do I know you?
  • Returning Calls
    • It’s common courtesy to return messages within 24 hours.
      Unless you want to offend the caller.
  • When leaving Messages in Another Mailbox
    • Identify yourself with first and last name.
      • It can save embarrassment.
    • Leave a callback number or contact information.
      • Saves so much time.
    • Leave a time for callback.
      • Unless you like phone calls at 7:00 a.m.
    • Briefly provide details, especially on a business call.
      • The return call can have the information you requested.
    • Keep it brief.
      • Save mailbox space.

Message Handling

Key pad shortcuts.

  • 1 = Rewind the message back 5 seconds
  • 2 = Play
  • 3 = Fast forward the message ahead 5 seconds
  • 4 = Skip to previous message
  • 5 = Record
  • 6 = Skip to next message
  • 7 = Message Command (see list below)
  • 8 = Mailbox Command (see list below)
  • 9 = (While listening to a message) Call the person back
  • * = Help
  • 0 = Transfer to your "zero escape" number
  • # = Pause message (press 2 to play again)

Message Commands

  • 71=Reply
  • 72=Play date/time info
  • 73=Forward to...
  • 74=Reply to all
  • 75=Compose new message
  • 76=Delete
  • 79=Send composed message
  • 7#=Cancel, back to message

Mailbox Commands

  • 80=Mailbox options
  • 81=Login to a different mailbox
  • 82=Change your greeting (menu)
  • 83=Disconnect (hang up)
  • 84=Change password
  • 85=Call Pilot Tools
  • 86=Go to message number __
  • 8#=Cancel, back to main menu