The transition from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365 for faculty members is a potential change in file storage services. Faculty were already using Outlook for their email service, so they are not as affected as other groups at the university.
Background
Historically, students stored data in Google Drive. UConn is terminating its relationship with Google and now students are joining faculty and staff in Microsoft 365. Previously, Faculty were technically able to store data in the Google Drive account available to their email address although this was not permissible due to the university’s data standards. As a result of the students using Google Drive, many Faculty also stored data in Google Drive in order to reach their students. This issue is now resolved with the students migrating over to 365.
There are no changes to faculty email at this time. Faculty are already using Outlook in Microsoft 365 as their email service.
File Storage
Work-related files must be stored in Microsoft 365 - OneDrive or SharePoint.
Migration of Data
Data in Google Drive is being transferred into OneDrive. For many faculty, this will be a hands-off process as ITS migrates their data. These faculty will receive email notifications with updates to the migration timeline and they can resume their work in 365 on files previously stored in Google once they receive the all-clear from ITS.
Google-specific files will be migrated by ITS as well. The file extension will change so that you can use the files in Microsoft (For example, a .gdoc will convert to the Word format, .docx).
Files that are stored in services outside of your Drive storage, like Google Photos, will not migrate and some features, such as links and sharing permissions, will not persist. View the suggested workarounds.
There are situations where ITS is unable to move files on behalf of Faculty where the faculty member will need to step in to take action. If any issues occur during the migration, the faculty member will receive an email notification alerting them to the specific files that were unable to migrate. They can then reference this error code help guide to resolve their issues: Google Migration Error Codes - Explained
Tips for Organizing Data
Now that data is residing in 365, users should notice that the user interface is rather similar to Google Drive, however with more options available to them.
To combat this, ITS created a guideline for storing data in a manner that faculty may follow to keep their course materials organized. This guide is specific to HuskyCT, but it can be followed in the pursuit of tidy file storage even if HuskyCT is not being used: Adding files from Microsoft OneDrive to a HuskyCT Ultra Course
Related Guides
File Migration: What will and what won't migrate
Google Migration Error Codes - Explained