Personal verification
This one-time recording is useful for other members of the staff who are transferring callers to your extension (it may also play at other times, such as when another phone system user records a message for automatic distribution). This is, therefore, a courtesy and puts your human voice between the caller and the mechanized phone system (i.e. it helps reassure the user they have reached the correct extension).

To record: enter your phonemail, press 8, then 9 (if a personal verification exists, it will play). Then press 5 to record your verification (see best practice), and # to end your recording.

Temporary phonemail message (with timed expiration)
Temporary phonemail messages are useful for letting your colleagues and library users or business partners know that you are away from your regular workplace for one or more regular work days. They may also be used for temporary changes to service phone greetings (e.g. holiday changes in service hours). They can be set to expire on the date and hour you wish - eliminating the need to remember to re-record your standard greeting. The phonemail returns to your previous standard greeting once the temporary greeting expires.

To record: enter your phonemail, press 8, then 2, then 3, then 5. Record your temporary greeting (see best practice), and press # to end your recording. Follow the prompts to set the date and time when you wish the temporary greeting to expire and your standard greeting resume.

Best practice
Personal verification:
Identify yourself with your full name. Consider including your position, but do keep the verification brief.

Temporary messages:
Always use when you have a scheduled absence of 1 regular work day or more. (Note that voicemail can be accessed from off campus - dial 713-348-2000, and enter your extension number followed by your password/pin.)

Mention when you will be away from your desk, and when you will return. Include a referral to a colleague (they should know that you refer callers to them) or to a central service number (e.g. the Reference Desk).

You might wish to set the expiration time for mid-way through your first day back. If you don't set a time, it expires at midnight of your return date ... letting the temporary greeting continue into the first work day lets first-day-back callers know that you have been away (and have some 'catching up' to do).