Changes to Google Storage at RIT

Owned by William Hart
Last updated: Dec 20, 2023

What's happening?

Previously, Google offered unlimited Drive storage to universities using Google Apps for Education and G Suite for Education. However, with the new Google Workspace for Education plan, unlimited storage is no longer available. At RIT, we're transitioning to new storage quotas to ensure Google Drive can continue supporting your academic and RIT business needs.

Why is this important?

Data stewardship is everyone's responsibility, and our Google storage is a shared resource. By using Google Drive responsibly, we can collectively make the most of our available storage and avoid potential issues down the line.

What's changing for me?

  • New storage quota: All RIT student, faculty, and staff accounts will receive a 250GB quota.

  • Current users with more than 250GB: Don't worry, your existing storage won't be automatically deleted. We'll be granting you a slightly larger quota based on your current usage.

  • Need more storage? If you anticipate needing more than your allocated quota, you can request additional storage using this form.

FAQs:

Q: What happens if I exceed my quota?

Google Drive: You won’t lose access! You'll see warnings in Google Drive on the web and will lose the ability to upload new files or change existing ones. All data in Google Drive will be read-only until you remove enough data to bring your account under your quota. To avoid this, please manage your storage effectively.

Gmail: Your RIT Gmail will be unaffected if you go over quota, unlike consumer Gmail accounts. Gmail attachments do count against your quota, however.

Q: Will quota increases be permanent? We're committed to providing enough storage for everyone's academic and RIT business needs. However, as usage patterns evolve, or if Google modifies its allotment, we may need to adjust quotas in the future to ensure everyone has fair access.

Q: Where can I learn more about RIT's records retention policy? Check out our policy page here.

Q: I need help managing my Google Drive storage. Who can I contact? The RIT Service Center is always happy to assist! Reach out at help.rit.edu.

Additional resources:

  • Check Your Usage: Wondering how much space you're using? Check here: View Storage

  • Clean-Up Tips: To find and delete large files: Manage Drive Storage

  • Email Management: To search for and delete unnecessary or large emails, go to Manage Files in your Google Drive storage and follow instructions for Gmail.

Remember: Data stewardship is a shared responsibility. Let's work together to keep our Google Drive space organized and accessible for everyone at RIT!