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Reminder for Faculty: Google for students ends May 29. Use Microsoft in syllabi

Student email, files and contacts will be moving from Google Suite to Microsoft Outlook and OneDrive, May 26-29. Access to TU’s Google accounts ends May 29, which means Gmail and Google Drive can no longer be used for academic collaboration. This affects the summer term and all terms moving ahead. Make sure you’re using Microsoft – not Google – when planning future syllabi.  

Transition tips for syllabi  

• Use OneDrive now for file sharing/storage and collaboration with students. See the OneDrive feature for Blackboard courses. 
• Update links from Google files (i.e. Sheets, Slides and Docs) to Microsoft files (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, etc.).
• Use Microsoft Forms instead of Google Forms. 
• After May 29 use Outlook for sending emails and booking calendar invites/appointments with students. 
• If you use a personal Google account and share Google Drive links with students for academic or university business, be aware that students might not be able to access the linked files.   

Other important info  

• Students have been able to opt in to move to Microsoft early, so some might already be using Outlook. All remaining accounts will be moved by the Office of Technology Services after the spring term ends.   
• Email addresses aren’t changing.  
• If students need help, please direct them to Student Computing Services.   

Learn more, see FAQs and how to get support at towson.edu/M365forStudents. Self-help resources are available anytime at towson.edu/microsoft365. Need help or have questions? Contact the OTS Faculty/Staff Help Center or submit a TechHelp service request.  

Categorised in: General

This post was written by Weldon, Jennifer