News & Updates • 2026
Changes to student email and file
storage at the university
Student email and file storage will be migrated from Google Workspace for Education to Microsoft 365.
What’s happening
During the course of 2026 and 2027, NAU will be migrating student email and file storage from the Google Workspace for Education platform into the Microsoft 365 suite. Student email will migrate from Gmail to Microsoft Outlook, and file storage will move from Google Drive to Microsoft OneDrive.
Why NAU is making these changes
Recently, Google changed its storage offering model, no longer providing free and unlimited storage to universities. Since NAU also licenses storage and email through Microsoft, maintaining both platforms results in duplicate and unsustainable storage costs.
With Microsoft 365 already serving as NAU’s primary platform for faculty and staff, migrating student email and storage to a single university platform also strengthens NAU’s information security, data governance, and compliance across affiliations.
When these migrations will occur
The university’s current objective is to migrate all student accounts to Microsoft 365 by Fall 2027. With this project still in the early planning stages, specific migration timelines will be communicated in advance once solidified. Multiple notifications will be sent out before the migration occurs, with any additional information or instructions.
Resources and FAQs
For up-to-date information about this project, frequently asked questions, information about Microsoft 365, making personal backups, and other resources related to these updates, visit the Google Migration Project Webpage.
Contacts