Google Workspace Optimization Project

Overview

Google will no longer provide higher education institutions with unlimited, free storage. To adapt to this change, the university is introducing new policies to optimize our storage solutions.

The Google Workspace Optimization Project is a multi-year initiative to prepare the university for a sustainable, "next-era" Google Workspace. The project team continues to gather input from IT leaders, campus advisory groups, high-storage users, and other stakeholders to identify potential solutions to support our transition to a service that's no longer free.

Rest assured, Google Workspace will remain a preferred collaboration tool and you’ll continue to have access to My Drive; shared drives; Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides; and all the other Google services you currently use.

What to know about upcoming changes

Due to Google's shift away from free, unlimited storage, the university will limit the amount of free storage in each My Drive or shared drive to 5 terabytes (TB). Those with exceptionally large storage needs— beyond the 5 TB limit — can submit a PTA to update their drive to a paid premium offering, which allows storage beyond the 5TB limit to be purchased.

TODAY

Plan to secure funding to reduce data for drives nearing or exceeding 5 TB.
March 2025

Form to submit a PTA for paid Google Workspace storage (for storage over 5TB) rolls out. Billing starts in September 2025 and is based on actual usage at the rate of $0.15 per GB annually.
Sept. 1, 2025

Storage limits are applied. Drives storing over 5 TB will switch to read-only until a PTA is submitted or data is reduced.

Questions? Visit the FAQs

If you're impacted ...

If you've received notification that your drive nears or exceeds the 5 TB limit, here's how to take action.

Check your My Drive storage use

Explore your My Drive storage use and ensure you're storing only what you need to in Google Workspace.

View your My Drive usage »

Check your shared drive storage use

Explore the storage use of a shared drive that you manage.

View your shared drive usage »

View additional resources

Refer to the information in the Storage Management Guide for more assistance.

Visit the Storage Management Guide »

How you can clean up your data

Even if your usage isn't over the limit, you're encouraged to clean up your data. Follow these steps to see what's contributing to your usage.

Review your My Drive

Use these tips to find large, redundant, or unused files you may no longer need.

De-clutter your My Drive »

Organize and manage shared drives

There are a few ways to clean up shared drives you manage to reduce storage and increase efficiency.

Tidy-up your shared drive »

Meet the teams or get support

Know the people who are involved in this project and submit a form if you have feedback, need help, or would like to request a consultation.

Core project team

Armand Capote
Brad Immanuel
Dani Aivazian
Doug Chalmers
Jan Morrill
Molly Sharp
Nan McKenna
Nelia Lanets
Sam Steinhardt
Shriram Krishnan
Sriram Krovvidi
Tom Cramer
Tom McMurtry

Get support

Support is available if you need it.

If you have feedback for the project team, please use this form to reach out.
If you need support, please submit a Help request.
If you would like a storage consultation related to the changes in Google Workspace, please submit a storage consultation request.

Share feedback » Submit a Help request » Submit a storage consultation request »