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Comment: updated the request a shared drive link to cloud request form

Google and other companies that offer cloud-based data storage solutions are no longer offering free unlimited storage to universities. Panopto, used primarily for video lectures, is changing its pricing model to increase rates for long-term storage and a per-view payment structure. Google is limiting Lehigh to a finite amount of storage for all Lehigh. If you have lots of large video files, thousands of high-resolution photos, or other types of large data files uploaded to these cloud-based storage platforms, this will impact you.  However, if you don't use cloud-based storage heavily, or mainly use Google for workspace applications like docs, sheets, and slides functionality, this is unlikely to have an impact on your work. For those impacted, Lehigh is setting ample quotas based on your role at the university and will review requests for more storage as needed.  Please refer back to this page for timely updates to policy and procedures.

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Google Storage

In 2024,  Google Drive will no longer offer free unlimited storage at Lehigh.

Lehigh will have a set limit of pooled storage for the entire university to share. This shared storage includes but is not limited to, Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photo files.

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If you or your department feels Google Drive is the best solution for you, your department can request that individuals be placed in a quota exception group where your department agrees to pay the additional storage costs that you incur.  

I don't know where to start. What should I do? 

The first step is to review your Google storage, and we have a video recording of a seminar on managing your quota.  For most clients, the Google storage quota is ample and meets the most typical needs. Three easy things to do that are explained in the video:

  1. Review Google Drive files by size and remove or download/migrate the largest files
  2. In email, delete large attachments and old email.
  3. For long-time employees, establish a cutoff date for your email and delete inbox email older than a certain date. 

How much Google storage will I have by default?

You have been placed into a tiered system depending on your primary role.  If you have an exceptional use case, please reach out to LTS to discuss if it is possible to accommodate increased quota storage or learn more about other storage options.  

  • Faculty/Staff - 75 GB
  • Graduate Students - 50 GB
  • Undergraduate Students - 25 GB
  • Retirees - 15 GB
  • Affiliates - 5 GB 
  • Departmental - 25 GB (IN* accounts)
  • Shared drives - 25 GB

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Google shared drives will be available for faculty/staff with a default 25 GB quota.  A larger quota can be requested, but total usage over 100 GB per department across all shared drives will result in charges. Faculty/Staff must request a shared drive from LTS.  Students cannot request shared drives themselves so will need to contact a faculty or staff member to sponsor them.  Drives needing additional storage can be arranged with a cost-sharing agreement with LTS. Please note that Google shared drive quotas will be routinely audited and departments will be charged if individuals exceed their individual shared drive quotas.

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You will see a yellow warning banner in Drive when you reach 80% of your storage quota.  Click "Manage Storage" to begin cleaning up your files.

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How much Google storage am I using?

Step-by-Step Video to Determine Storage Use

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Tips: It may take a couple of days for your new quota to be reflected once you delete the content.

Info

Google-related files or collaboration data (Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, Jamboard, and Drawings files) created before May 2, 2022 that haven't been edited DO NOT count against your storage quota. 

What counts towards your Google storage?

    • Files in your My Drive such as PDFs, images, and videos that you are the owner of
    • Items in your Trash
    • Gmail - Messages,  attachments, and items in your Spam and Trash folders
    • Google Photos and videos backed up in Original Quality
    • Hidden data from apps in Google Drive
    • Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, Jamboard, and Drawings files you created AFTER May 2, 2022

What doesn't count toward your Google storage?

    • Files in "Shared with me" and shared drives. (These files only take up space in the owner's Google Drive.)
    • Google Sites
    • Untouched Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, Jamboard, and Drawings files created before May 2, 2022.
    • Any photos or videos you’ve backed up in High quality (now Storage Saver) before June 1, 2021 won't count toward your Google Account storage. (Please Note: Storage Saver Photos/Videos after June 1, 2021 count towards your storage.)

How do I save data from Lehigh Google Drive to my personal G-mail account?

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