IT services have issued out priority emails pertaining to the reduction in Google Workspace storage. A quota of 5GB has been stipulated for Google Workspace storage concerning UM/JC student accounts. Students, especially those making heavy use of this platform, are required to go over their Google Workspace to avoid subsequent restrictions.
What Exactly Happened?
Google has been revisiting many policies concerning its operations in the past few years. Whilst these have enhanced their platforms, there have also been drawbacks in certain areas. For instance, in 2021 storage space per Google Account had been confined to 15GB.
A similar problem has cropped up, now also impacting the educational side of students’ lives. Factoring in the quota imposition on Google Workspace for Education, UM/JC students now have a maximum of 5GB worth of storage assigned towards their Google Workspace storage.
Although 5GB is still quite a lot in terms of storage space, it still imposes a burden on students who make heavy use of this workspace for their studies, whilst accounting for notes, books and other materials required for their studies.
The unlimited amount of data had served a great purpose to students, so it may be quite unfair on students to see such heavy restrictions. That said, we understand that Google might implement certain changes that would require IT Services to take the corresponding measures.
Alex Gaglione – KSU President
What do students need to do?
In case you overlooked or deleted the email that was issued, don’t fret. Here’s a quick summary of what you need to do by 18th January 2023:
- Log into your UM/JC student Google account and delete data that don’t relate to your current studies.
- Look at how much storage you’re using after removing the extra data mentioned in the first step
- Students who are using less than 5 GB don’t need to undertake further actions. If you are still making use of more than 5 GB, IT services require you to reduce storage below the threshold. If there are any issues you encounter with the latter step you are asked to fill in this form, so to avoid any impediments in Google Services (if the 5 GB limit has been exceeded.
Google Drive Storage Feedback
The reliability and convenience rendered by Google Drive is not unknown by UM students. As such KSU, along with other university organisations, are acquiring responses to better comprehend how students make use of such data. In turn, the feedback will help KSU to take the necessary actions with regards to this matter. If you wish to participate in this short survey you are kindly asked to click the following link.
As KSU we wish to understand the students’ data usage so that such information can help to find a way forward regarding this situation.
Alex Gaglione – KSU President