Getting into CES ChatGPT happens in two stages. The first time, you accept an email invitation from OpenAI that adds you to the CES workspace. After that, you sign in directly at chatgpt.com.
Login Steps
Step 1: Click "Join workspace" in Your Invitation Email
Look for an email from OpenAI (noreply@tm.openai.com) with the subject "OpenAI has invited you to ChatGPT Edu". It confirms you have been invited to collaborate using ChatGPT Edu in the workspace CES ChatGPT. Click the green "Join workspace" button.
| Note: If you do not see the invitation, check your spam and junk folders before contacting the IT Service Desk. |
Step 2: Choose "Church Educational System"
You will be taken to a page asking "How do you want to log in?". Click the top button, "Church Educational System".
Do not use "Continue with Google," "Continue with Microsoft," "Continue with Apple," or "Continue with password" — those create or connect a personal account, which carries none of the CES data protections.
Step 3: Select "Use BYU-Idaho"
You will be redirected to the BYU Church Educational System sign-in page, which displays logos for all CES institutions horizontally at the top.
Under the "Sign In" heading, click the bright blue button labeled "Use BYU-Idaho". It is the fourth option in the list and matches BYU-Idaho's brand color.
Step 4: Sign In with Your Church Account
Enter your Church account username and complete Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) if prompted. If you already have an active BYU-Idaho SSO session in your browser, you may be signed in automatically.
Step 5: Choose Your Preferences and Get Started
ChatGPT will walk you through a short set of preference questions. Once you finish, you are in the CES ChatGPT workspace and ready to use it.
| Tip: Some ChatGPT capabilities require premium credits and may not be available to you yet. For the best results, use an "Instant" model when chatting. |
Using the correct username to login
A dialog will appear titled "Log in or sign up". In the Email address field, enter your username + @byui.edu (often called your User Principal Name, or simply UPN) — do not enter your email address. Our authentication system identifies users by User Principal Name in our CES ChatGPT platform.
For Example:
- Name: Thomas Ricks
- Incorrect: rickst@byui.edu
- Incorrect: tomricks1888
- Correct: tomricks1888@byui.edu
Correct — your username with "@byui.edu":
Returning Users: Faster Login
If you've logged in before, ChatGPT may show a "Welcome back" dialog with your @byui.edu account listed. Simply click your account tile to skip re-entering your email and go directly to the "How do you want to log in?" screen (Part 2, Step 3 above).
Troubleshooting
If you see a message such as "create a new OpenAI account," "access denied," or you simply don't see the "Church Educational System" login option, it's likely that one of the following scenarios happened:
- You entered your email address instead of your UPN (see Part 2, Step 2 above).
- You were provisioned a license, but haven't accepted the email invite to join our CES workspace.
- Follow Part 1: Accepting Your Invitation above.
- If you don't see the email invite, make sure to check your spam/junk folders.
Contact Us
If you have questions, please call us at (208) 496-9009 or start a Live Chat with us.
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